Week 1 after Chemo #1

 

8/27-9/1/2022

The week after chemo treatment was challenging and yet I felt better than I expected to.

I woke up Saturday, 8/27 after treatment. My head was cloudy and yet I felt okay. I taught yoga though I did not feel safe to drive so Cheney drove me to the college where I teach.

My main symptoms: burning scalp, cloudy head, extreme fatigue, hot flashes (which I never experienced during menopause), a metallic taste in my mouth and a headache, which includes a lot of pressure at the base of my occiput.

Around 3:30 pm my Neulasta shot went off (I talked about this in the last post). This is an immuno-boosting miracle really. The most common side effect for this shot is bone pain. I was told to take Claritin if it occurred. I chose to take the Claritin before the shot went off as a preventative.

I was able to eat regularly and find that eating smaller meals more often to be helpful. It is imperative to drink a minimum of 80 oz of liquid to flush out the toxic part of my magic potions.

One of the biggest side effects of my chemo is that the skin (skin, hair nails) and mucous membranes are affected. I started an enzymic drink before chemo to ward this off--Healios. It's not my favorite; it tastes like mild sugar water. You have to swish it around for 10 seconds before swallowing two times a day after meals.

The biggest issues besides the fatigue was constipation. I love my BMs and had to work for the first 4 days to achieve them. I tried laxatives, enemas, physical movement, drinking tons of liquid. Nothing really helped.

I will know to prepare before the next treatment.

As the days progressed, I felt better and better. It took a week for my head to clear and I continued to take Claritin, Tylenol and my regular meds and supplements.

I was able to play pickle ball twice the first week and to teach my 2, 2-hour classes (with a mask on for my protection). 

The most important part has been pacing myself. I eat and relax. I teach and relax. I bike and relax. I've also only scheduled 1 or 2 things to get done per day and am grateful that my life allows me that flexibility.

I have enjoyed gifts of food and juice from friends as well as cards and texts and little surprises in the mail. 

Thank you all. I feel blessed and loved and well-cared for.