The worst, worst, worst, worst part of cancer treatment is the waiting. First it's the 'oh, this is a lump/lesion/something yucky*', wait until we can tell you what it is; then it's the wait for surgery, wait for path report, wait for test, wait for test results, repeat last two steps several times, wait for next surgery, wait for next path report, wait for stupid drain, wait for doctor appt, wait for test, and now we are at the 'wait for chemo to start' stage.
Chemo looks like such a piece of cake - NOT! I should preface this by saying that some people sail through chemo with no side effects but most people experience them. I read about one one woman who said her only side effect was she lost her hair. I am not sure I would use the world ONLY for that. I have six rounds with my "cocktail" which will last eighteen weeks. These rounds are three weeks apart so they start August 24 and should end by Christmas. Chemo works by going after fast growing cells, which cancer cells are. However, other fast growing cells in your body are: hair, stomach lining, white blood cells, red blood cells, finger nails, skin, and a few others. As a result, the side effects to look forward to are:
Hair loss - two weeks from first chemo it usually goes in a matter of days on or about day 14. There is hope I will only have thinning with the first rounds and the slightest of chances I would not lose any. Randy has been preparing me by purchasing Pink hat after Pink hat. I now have six of them....I tell him I can only wear one at a time!
Nausea - is it possible to have nausea for four months? They can give you a shot for it or possibly a pill. Then another drug to cover the side effects of the first drug.
Low white blood count - susceptible to infection, stay away from crowds, avoid places like the gym where germs breed. This is why I will get my teeth cleaned before Chemo begins. They can give you a shot for this.
Low red blood count - anemia and fatigue. Too tired to do anything. They can also give you a shot for this.
Constipation or diarrhea - well I guess you can't have both. :-p
Mouth sores/thrush - so you don't want to eat. I have a special mouth rinse for this and can get a prescription from my dentist.
Bad taste - you get a bad taste in your mouth and nothing tastes good. They actually say stay away from your favorite foods because if you eat them with a bad taste in your mouth you may never like them again. I think I may take up eating tofu - lean protein and I can't stand the taste. Also, Ensure shakes are recommended. Yuck! I don't plan on cooking for the next four months.
Weight gain - apparently something like 50% of women on chemo gain weight even though food tastes like crap, nausea, and constipation or diarrhea. Go figure. Steroidal water retention.
I will be given chemo in doses every three weeks. Apparently, the first week you feel like crap, the second week a little better, and then the third week almost human.
(*Yucky is a highly technical term referring to many different types of medical conditions and procedures.)
No comments:
Post a Comment