It’s been a little while since my last update. This is basically because things have been going well. No news is good news, etc… That being said, I do have a few updates.
I had an appointment with my specialist today. Just routine stuff really. We discussed the symptoms I have been experiencing so far which are all ‘normal’ and did some paperwork to book a few further appointments. I will be seeing a radiotherapist soon to start discussions on the radiotherapy treatment, which should be in the next month.
The prescription of Dexamethasone which I suspected was the cause of tightness in my chest has been reduced half of what was previously supplied, it is not even a compulsory drug and could be ommited completely – but we are going to continue to try it with a half dosage.
I don’t currently have any symptoms, my taste sensations have returned to normal which means I guess i’m ready for the next Chemo session. I will have a blood test done tomorrow to determine if my counts are high enough for the Chemo, though this should be fine. Mum is currently driving down to Melbourne and will be here for my next treatment on Friday.
Also, the node on my neck (the only ever visible sign of the cancer) has shrunk to a point that is no longer visible! You can still feel something if you really search for it, but this is most likely scar tissue from the death of the tumour cells. A positive change in any case!
Fatigue is okay now. I no longer need a sleep every time I do something!
Experiencing very bad tastes in my mouth though. If I am not eating or drinking I have a foul taste in my mouth. When I do drink water, its almost unbearable. I have been adding lemon juice to distract the taste somewhat.
Eating food is not a problem (thankfully!)
Oh the joys of Dysgeusia!
I have been fatigued the past few days. In addition to fatigue I have also experienced blurred vision and have started to taste differences when I drink water (eating doesn’t seem to be affected). I have resorted to adding lemon to my water as the taste is too foul to drink it by itself. This symptom is very common for chemotherapy patients, so i’ve been told.
The fatigue seems to be lifting slowly… I hope it does, it really is a pain!
I had my second Chemotherapy injections yesterday. Everything went fine. My nurse is very good and it is a relaxed, yet time-consuming process. Marika and I were at the hospital at 09:30, and didn’t leave until 14:00. There was a delay with the chemists in creation of my drugs for the day, but it wasn’t that bad.
I went to the hospital the day previous to have a blood test, this is necessary to determine if my blood counts have recovered and if my body is ready for another round of Chemo. All was fine in my case.
Today i’m feeling okay. No nausea. I do feel a bit of a tightness in my chest, which is the same feeling I felt the first two days after I had my first Chemotherapy session. I am not sure if it is related to the Chemotherapy drugs themselves, or one of the anti-nausea drugs (a steroid based drug: Dexmethasone). Anyway, this feeling went away after 2 days last time so i’m not too concerned.
I’m taking it easy, if it’s anything like my first Chemo session (which I have been told it will be) then my feeling of fatigue will start to kick in soon.
I have continued to feel strong and have started to do a bit of work as well. Today I worked a half day (4 hours) remotely which was good to get my mind off other things. I plan to work at least half a day each day this week until Friday, my next chemo session. I don’t think i’ll be working next week, but we’ll see what happens.
I have had a bit of a sore throat the past few days, starting Friday… Flu like symptoms like this are meant to be common with Chemotherapy and it has been progressively getting better so I am not concerned. I have been taking my temperature daily and this so far has been normal.
I’d like to thank everyone for all the lovely words of support I have been receiving. I really appreciate all of your kind words.
The past few days have been good. I have not been feeling fatigued like previous days and the numbness in my fingers is now almost completely gone.
I spent the majority of the day in the kitchen on Thursday and Friday, making lunch & dinner for Marika. On Friday I didn’t even need a sleep in the afternoon. On Thursday and Friday I went for small walks (just around the block), but I was still quite slow walking.
Saturday I felt really good (perhaps even normal). We walked to the Prahran Market in the morning, and Woolworths in the evening. Both are not a great distance from home, but compared to my energy levels a few days ago this is very positive. We had a barbecue (vegies and chicken) on Saturday which was nice.
Today we plan to walk to Richmond to buy some fish (again, not a very far distance) and just have a quiet Sunday.
I have been taking it slow the past few days. I have really been feeling the fatigue. I can’t do much without having to have a rest shortly thereafter. At least I still have my appetite, and not suffering from nausea or vomiting. The fatigue is manageable though, i’m not bedridden. I have been having a nap every afternoon, which I must say isn’t that bad 🙂
The days are passing slowly. Tomorrow will be the first week through Chemotherapy finished, a milestone?
Mum leaves today. I will be alone for a few days during the next week. Marika will continue to work, but will come home at lunchtime.
My specialist is not worried about my side effects of fatigue and numbness of the fingers, these are typical of my treatment and should get better as time goes on.
I am a bit fatigued today. I went for a small walk to the postoffice in the morning and that was fine, however after lunch I felt fatigued and had a nap.
After my nap I felt good again so I started playing with the internals an old PC, I was only doing this for about 1 hour but after this time I again felt really tired. This tiredness stayed with me until it was time to goto sleep.
Also, I have a slight numbness to my finger tips after playing with the electronics of this PC. I am not sure at this point if this is a direct side effect of chemotherapy or if it was simply a case of doing too much and my finger tips suffered.
I have taken all the anti nausea drugs (as they only give you enough for the first 2 days post chemotherapy) and so far have not really felt nauseous, nor had any vomiting.
I had a slow day today. Went for a short walk early in the day and felt fine. Went for another walk in the afternoon, however after this walk I did feel significantly fatigued and had to sit down for 30 minutes to recover.
My appetite has not yet been affected by the Chemotherapy, though I am eating smaller meals and eating more frequently which probably explains why I am not feeling nauseous.
Dad left today. Mum is still here.
I had a good nights sleep and woke up only a few times during the night to have a drink of water. I suffered no pain or nausea/vomiting – which is always a good thing!
All 3 of my compulsary anti-nausea medications seemed to do the trick today as well. It seems my body is coping well with the treatment thus far.
Today my mother cut my hair. I have now a shaved head (I think it is number 3, so its not ALL gone) but its good and will make things a bit easier for when/if I loose my hair. I have been told that if this does happen it will most likely be around the third week of treatment.
I also went for a small walk (2km) today, though upon returning I did feel quite fatigued and had a lie down after this. I need to take things a bit slower, especially in the days just post chemotherapy sessions.
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