Yo...
Bit of a delay since the last post - apologies for keeping y'all in suspense!
It's been about a week and a half since the first chemo session, and I gotta say - them scientist fellows know what they're doing - it's going well!
Symptoms: The reduction in symptoms has been pretty surprising in its rapidness (is rapidness a word? Rapidity? Whatever - it was quick). Just to recap, my primary sypmtoms (other than the lumps of course), were an aching pain in the underarms and across the chest, fairly severe night-sweats, tiredness and a general all-over itchiness.
Within 2-3 days of the chemo the night-sweats had gone. This was a good thing - if nothing else changing the sheets twice a week gets rather tiresome (dunno how Lex put up with it - she's an angel I tell's ya :-) ...within a similar period the aches went - that was the best of all - to be honest I don't think I realised quite how much they'd been getting to me 'til they went - it was like having a clear head after having a headache for 2 months. And it meant I could sleep comfortably on my sides for the first time since new-years - joy! The itchiness hung around for a few more days, but had largely gone by early last week. Of course, now I'm typing about it I'm itching - but that's just psycology - I bet you're itching reading about it aren't you? If you weren't you are now! Back of the head? Right foot? Feel something creeping over your left shoulder? ....ok, ok, I'll stop messing with ya ;-) Lastly was the tiredness - even that seems better this last week - despite the chemo itself having tiredness as a side-effect, with the better sleep without the aches and sweats it still seems like an overall improvement.
Side effects: The side effects have definately not been as bad as they might've been - I'm not being complacent by any means, I realise things could change from session to session, but as it stands I really can't complain. As mentioned in the previous post, I was a little sick on the day of the chemo, but only a little. After that I was very tired/drained for the next few days, and my appetite was a bit variable (though I still managed to eat ok every day). I had occasional queasy periods, but the anti-nausea pills dealt well with that. But all of that faded quickly over the 4-5 days following the chemo, and by the start of the next week I was feeling almost back to full-form. I get tired quite quick if I do anything strenuous, but other than that it's all good - I worked 2 days last week, and again today, and had a fairly busy (and enjoyable!) social weekend, which is all good. The worst thing is having to repeatedly turn down tasty looking prawn starters when we're eating out. I want prawns!!!
So, all-in-all, it's early in the first half but it's Cancer - nil, Chemo - 1 ...Chemo takes an early lead!... hopefully a sign of things to come! I've still got to be careful of infection and what I eat, and I'm well aware things may not always be so smooth, but right now I'm more positive than ever. (And for those of you who're interested, the hair's still hanging on - apparently it doesn't start going 'til second cycle, so I'll be keeping a close eye on the shower floor and the pillows next month!)
Next chemo is on Wednesday - more then if not before!
Rock on kiddos, peace & love, b
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