Well, I spoke a little too soon with my
feeling good comment. This time, the exhaustion hit at the end of the second
day. Lasted one more day and I think would have improved had it not been for
three practically sleepless nights in a row. Or less sleep than I require. Two
4:30 AM wake ups, all unrelated to chemo and on the third, someone called on the
landline around 1 AM (Wrong number) and I didn’t go back to sleep. Or at least
not much. And then restless legs, (have you ever had that?) which I rarely have
because I keep a bar of soap in my bed. Old wives tale that works, except that
one night. Those three nights set me back...I didn’t do as much walking as I
like. But the next night was sheer heaven. Didn’t wake up until 7:15.
There’s quite a bit more general information
in this post than others. Someone told me to write down anything
helpful.
We went to the new wig shop...she specializes
in cancer patients. If you’re local, here is her card. Got a super light weight
wig. For some odd reason, I still have some hair...enough to get away with a
baseball cap at the market and gym. (However, I am losing my eyelashes! I can actually count them on one of my eyes. Eyebrows still there. How odd is that?) Anyhow, I would wear a wig for
dinners.
The Medicare nurse had her last visit...they
give you 60 days from original surgery. I don’t meet the criteria for an
extension. You cannot do any abdominal exercises for 90 days after surgery. Have
a month to go.
One more little thing: I inherited my mother’s
skin....thin and when you brush up against anything, it leaves a little blood
under the skin. Been going on with me for years. No, she didn’t take blood
thinners, nor do I. The dr mentioned this would get worse with chemo..they’d
appear for no reason. It has, its gotten pretty bad actually, but years ago I
discovered something called Vitamin K cream. It only works if you rub it on
practically the minute you do the damage. But I’ve been using it on my arms and
think there’s an improvement. What looks worse than red blotches all over your
arms in sleeveless summer things? I can put a little makeup on, which helps. I
know....Vanity, thy name is woman.
Did I mention someone told me to take
L-glutamine as it’s supposed to help with bone aches? Either it’s working, or
I’m not going to have that problem (yet) as I have only had the bones in my feet
ache once...a month ago. Also, I take 500 mg of L-Lysine, (plus chap stick or
lipstick all the time) which helps with cold sores...something I tend to
get.....someone told me when your immune system is compromised, you can have a
problem with that. So far, not yet.
I also want to mention one other little
unpleasant thing that nobody ever talks about. On the 4-5th day after chemo, I
get cramping and loose bowels. Not really diarrhea. And it’s the cramping that’s
uncomfortable. Lasts a few days (I take small amounts of Imodium, which works,
but am careful to only take half now and then as I don’t want to swing in the
other direction) and then it’s over. Other people seem to be constipated during
the entire thing. Weird. And it may change, who knows?
First day at gym today...with mask..which
won’t come off until the weekend. 12 days with mask and no eating out, 10 days
without mask and I can eat out, within my new food limits.
I’ve been having this weird problem with my
eyes, difficult to describe. Sort of like being in a tunnel, but you can see and
hear everything. Decided to go to eye doctor. He said all was well, but
considering what I’m going through, wants one more test. Scheduled next month.
I’m not thrilled, but glad he is following up.
Last night we went out to dinner and I had my
first wig night out What do you think?
We’re going to try to go to the beach this
weekend...I’ll be covered up completely! And under umbrellas. It’s a rough surf
down here, so doubt I’ll be in the water, but they said I could if I wanted
to.
Third chemo the day after Memorial
Day.
