Right Before Third Chemo

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.