Some Side Effects of Chemo

Side effects are always something anyone battling cancer has to deal with.  In my reading of blogs and discussion boards, I have discovered that not every person in my situation has the exact same challenges.  In thinking about that, it does make sense.  No one’s body and make up is exactly the same as another’s.  I did find, though, that the information I gleaned helped me know what I could expect.

With the Adriamycin/Cytoxan and neulasta shot, the side effects were these:

•      Feeling a bit queasy toward the end of the week that I had an infusion – no nausea or vomiting, as my pills worked well
•      Hair loss the week I had my second infusion
•      Not too energetic those days I felt a bit queasy

I never was “out of commission” for more than just a few days in the two-week rotation.

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• With Taxol, the side effects were these (and may have been the culmination of the AC and neulasta)      

• A bit of neuropathy in the smaller toes of my right foot

• Scaly skin on the edges of my heels and around my toes as well as up to and round my right ankle (outer) 

• A pesky cough

• A gut-wretching cough for a day or two

• Aching bones in the upper legs and hips for a few days, usually the weekend after an infusion

I have struggled more with the taxol than the other chemo, but compared to what I have heard and read, I have not had it too badly.

God is gracious.

Whoa! I've Had a Reaction

Well, I had no reaction to the first two infusions of taxol.  This time, though, I began to have an ache in my lower back.  My face felt like it was getting hot.  I said something to Patty (my sister-in-law who was my driver/companion for the day) who told me my face was rapidly turning red.  I told her to go get help.  She and Nergiz came back, with Nergiz immediately stopping the infusion.  Another nurse came in with a bag of Benadryl, which would help bring things under control so that they could re-start the infusion. 

I didn't want to send Patty out to get our lunch until I knew we were set with things, as if I had a second reaction, then I was done for the day.  I would have to come back next week, and they would be using another drug, other than taxol.  Nergiz re-started the Taxol after the Benadryl bag emptied.  She kept a close eye on me for the first 10 minutes to be sure things were going to go better.  They did. 

I sent Patty on to get our lunch, since it appeared I would be able to stick this out to the end.  Because Benadryl could make me a bit sleepy, I had Patty get me items that would keep all right if I were dozing when she returned.

Patty and I did, as usual, end up laughing about this -- probably my room where I have my infusions is the only place where nurses hear the sound of laughter in that part of the building.  It seems that I have often not followed the "norm" on things.  A reaction to taxol tends to occur within the first ten minutes of the first infusion.  For me, it was the third.

Because I have one more round of taxol on July 16, the  nurses jotted down a few things in their notes that they planned to do to prevent a recurrence of something like this.  One thing they plan to do is up the initial Benadryl, giving me a small bag of it at the outset.   Their thought is that since the Benadryl did calm things down for me to continue, that the extra Benadryl at the start would keep a reaction from happening.

Next time is my last infusion.  I really do not want anything to delay my finishing chemo on time.  Dennis and I have plans for the end of the month to be out of town.  That planning hinged on my being past the chemo (and getting through the effects of it all right).

Anniversary Sunday

Over the weekend, I just did not feel well.  I was especially having problems with the coughing.  It was difficult for me to move from the living room just to the kitchen without having to stop and catch my breath.  When I did that, I would start coughing.  Coughing can entail deep breaths, and so I would continue to cough, trying to catch my breath.  Finally, I could wrestle the cough in such a way that I was not taking those deeper breaths.

Sunday I did not even go to morning church, since I was in no condition to go.

Our town has its July 4^th celebrations the weekend before or after July 4, depending on when it falls during the week.  The last night is fireworks night.  Over the years, all sorts of family, friends, and acquaintances come up to view them from our back yard.  Those who come bring a snack to share.  We usually provide hot dogs.  We have had times when over 100 show up.  This year the crowd was small, probably their being considerate of my current health issues.  Dennis and I did not tell people not to come, as between him and his sisters, they could do the work.  So, I did not even go out and mingle with those who came.  I stayed in my recliner.  When the time came to view the fireworks, I slowly moved out the door to the deck and sat on one of our chairs out there.  That worked well for me.  Clean up was, as usual, easy.  What remained behind Dennis and his sisters took care of.

Today also was Dennis and my 17^th wedding anniversary.  I was reminded of the portion of our vows we recited to each other that day, “in sickness and in health.”  Dennis has been right there to help me and encourage me.  I am thankful for him – and thankful that he is able to take care of the things I just am not up to some days:  laundry, cooking, doing dishes, etc.  He can come home from work and know how my day seems to be going and just take over from there.  He is a wonderful husband.  We will go out to eat to celebrate our anniversary in a few days, as I should be feeling up to it.

My cough was helped by taking an allergy pill.  Taxol can affect production of mucous.  So, my oncologist recommended I do that.  I had relief from the awful, gut-wretching coughing rather quickly Monday evening.

VBS Was This Week

This week has been VBS at church.  It has been odd to have to not be involved, but I just am not up to it.  I have been going down for the closing portion of the morning just to see who all is there and get a sense of how things are going.

I really have not been feeling as perky as usual, this being the week after chemo.  I really can’t take deep breaths without coughing, and so I have to be careful about how quickly I move from here to there so that I do not have to “catch my breath.”  When I have to do that, I have to take a deeper breath than normal, and I get coughing, which makes me have to take deep breaths, which makes me still cough . . .  I have to work at not letting the coughing trigger my having to take deep breaths.  

I must admit that I am getting weary of all of this.  I am seven months into all of this, from my initial appointment to the mammogram to the ultrasound to the MRI.  Then came the meeting with the surgeon, two biopsies, diagnosis of cancer (two types), the glitch of the infested cyst on my back, the surgery, the pathology report results, putting in the port, and now chemo.

I just want to be done.  I remind myself that this is how is it – just deal with it!  I realize that the end will happen.  Two more chemo Mondays and that is done.

I remain thankful that God has kept me from having too difficult of a time with the chemo. 

A Song in My Mind

About a month more of chemo . . .

This song I hear from time to time on the radio.  The second verse and the chorus especially speak to me:

"He loves to hear our praise

On our cheerful days

When the pleasant times out weigh the bad, by far;

But when suffering comes along,

And we still sing His song,

That is when we bless the Father's heart.

"God wants to hear you sing

When the waves are crashing round you,

When the firey darts surround you,

When despair is all you see.

God wants to hear your voice

When the wisest man has spoken

And says your circumstance is as hopeless as can be:

That's when God wants to hear you sing!"

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What is my heart's response as I am engaged in this cancer battle?  Do I feel sorry for myself?  Do I ask "Why me?"  Am I unhappy with God for allowing this in my life?  Can I still exhibit joy in spite of my current circumstances?  Some things to think about, for sure.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKnh4LeNOww 

Today Is My Birthday

Today is my birthday.  Usually this is not a big deal because I am not at any significant age:

• I am way past being old enough to drive.
• I am way past being old enough to vote.
• I am way past being old enough to be considered a mature adult -- at least most of the time.
• I have passed the age where I can initially join AARP.
• I have reached the first two levels of qualifying for senior discounts (50, 55)

But, this year I have learned that when a person has cancer, celebrating every birthday is a big deal.  The American Cancer society calls itself the "Official Sponsor of Birthdays."  This may explain why, when I returned to the oncologist's office for the blood draw today, I got a big hug from Nergiz.

I have learned that I need to think of my birthday a little differently now.  It's not the age I am; it's the fact that I am here to celebrate it once more.

Weekend of April 27

A last-minute possibility, traveling to Ohio for the weekend.  I just had my second chemo infusion; and I was thinking that if things went as well as after the first one, Dennis and I could join all of my siblings (rare occurrence) and their spouses in celebrating our parents' 60th wedding anniversary.  This all was planned in a relatively short time by my sister-in-law:  a luncheon in the activity room at Summit Point and invite some of Dad and Mom's special Ohio friends to join us; have a photographer come to take some good pictures of us, since we are not all together very often.

My hair had begun to fall out, enough that I decided the day before we were leaving that I would have my friend Becky give me a buzz cut.  If we were going to Ohio, I preferred to be messing with bristles rather than with "fleeing" hair.  I had been shedding and I did not want it on other people's furniture or bed or in the sink or shower. 

Since my brothers and sisters live a good distance from me, it is difficult for them to feel they are a part of my support.  So, the idea was that all of us who were going to be in Ohio would plan to have with them hats or wigs to wear for a picture or so. 

Here is the result:

Another picture from the weekend: