Chemotherapy is a general term for different drugs used to treat cancer. It is administered into the veins through an IV, or in my case, through my port. When I go for a treatment, I first have an infusion of anti-nausea medications over about an hour, then I have the chemotherapy for about an hour and a half. I feel fine during the treatment, but within a couple hours I start to feel sick. Once I am home (usually early afternoon), I go to bed and don't get up until the next morning.
Right now I am having two kinds of chemotherapy - Adriamycin and Cytoxan. They are pretty awful. The nurse who administers the Adriamycin has to wear a plastic gown and gloves so she won't get burned if any should get on her. There might be worse kinds of chemotherapy, but I don't want to find out.
Chemotherapy is designed to kill cancer cells. Unfortunately, chemotherapy also kills good cells and has some pretty nasty side effects. Below are some of the side effects I have experienced:
- severe nausea (After my first treatment, I couldn't eat anything for 4 days. I sipped broth and soda in an attempt to stay hydrated and also to get my anti-nausea medications down. We've been able to get the nausea more under control so that I am able to eat, but for about 8 days after chemotherapy, I am still pretty nauseated).
- headache and pain behind my eyes (This is so bad that for a whole week after chemotherapy, I don't do anything but sleep, eat, and sit on the couch. My eyes bother me so much that I can't even read a book or watch a movie, which seem like they could help me get my mind off not feeling well).
- constipation (I'll spare you the details)
- extra sensitivity to light, sound, smell, taste, etc. (For a few days after chemo, many foods taste bitter. I can't stand loud noises or jerky movements. Light bothers my eyes).
- extremely achey legs and feet
- bruised feeling on jaw, neck, shoulders, and back
- bone pain
- weakness (I can't open jars, water bottles, etc. I don't have energy to do much of anything).
- body feels heavy
- mouth sores (Five years ago when I had chemotherapy, I counted over 50 canker-type sores, and I was miserable. This time I've been lucky to only have one sore after each treatment).
- suppressed immune system, so I have to be really careful about germs
- hair loss
All those symptoms sound simply awful! I thought pregnancy was bad, but at least you come out with a cute baby. I'm thinking about Sid the sloth When he says, "I choose life!" I guess that's what you get at the end! Life! I'm glad to, cuz I like having u around!!
ReplyDeleteOh my dear girl! I can't imagine how long each day must feel. But, this will pass and you and your family and all you associate with will be stronger, better people. Not that you have much to improve. You're practically perfect! You're such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your struggle and your faith with us in the outside.
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