Finally, an update!

I’m sorry I’ve been offline. With the new chemo kicking me so hard, I find it very hard to write updates when I’m home recovering, and on work days I’m just pretty wiped out by the time the kids and I are fed. I’m writing this now because I’m in the window between one Benadryl wearing off and the next one kicking in. Once the Benadryl is onboard, I go into a foggy, sleepy state.

The last chemo round (my second with the one that gives me nerve pain) was different than the first one. For one thing, I got a terrible head cold, which was just unfair. Worst head cold of my life, no doubt because of my compromised immune system.

On top of that, the pain was different. Instead of being only in my legs, it moved around a bit – but it was also less severe. I never felt like just laying on the bed crying like I did the first time. I will say, having nerve pain in your teeth/jaw is not enjoyable, though, so I was glad when it migrated back to my legs on Day Two.

Yesterday I had my third treatment. The pain hasn’t kicked in, but because I have an allergic reaction to it, I’m doped up on Benadryl pretty endlessly to keep my throat from swelling up. If the pattern stays the same, the nerve pain will arrive tomorrow.

But when I see my doctor, he likes to say, “you are tolerating chemo really well.” He says that every time, and I have learned to interpret this not as, “you are handling your side effects with strength and graciousness” (because I generally spend my time with him whining about them), but instead as, “your labs show that your internal organs are not experiencing undue stress.” 🙂 So things could be worse. 🙂

Also, although I am having some neuropathy in my fingers/toes, it’s still within acceptable limits for me to stay on my current high-density dose schedule. Which means I should only have to do this ONE MORE TIME after this week. The difference between neuropathy and nerve pain is that the neuropathy can be permanent, so they watch this closely. I’m still spending my chemo sessions with my hands in ice, which is either helping or just a way to make an unpleasant experience much worse. . . Either way, I’m committed. I just want to get through this phase.

And then it’s on to radiation! Daily radiation for 4-6 weeks, depending on a few things that will be finalized next month. The radiation typically only has two side effects – skin burns and rashes from where the radiation hits you, and an increasing level of fatigue. The radiation oncologist says it’s unlikely I will be able to work during the final two weeks of this treatment, as the fatigue becomes overwhelming. But, since it doesn’t come with nausea or pain, it still sounds easy compared to chemo.

I do try not to mention anyone by name in this blog, because it’s public and people are private. But I do have to say, the support I’m getting from everyone is really amazing. Last treatment, when the head cold layered on top of the nerve pain, I’d have probably been living on microwaved popcorn if people hadn’t decided to trigger my meal train for me instead of waiting for me to ask. Don’t worry, this time I’m much better prepared for things to go wrong. 🙂 But it’s a huge comfort to know that if I need help, I will get it.

Plus, my house is still a unicorn heaven, which brings me great joy, because it’s all symbolic of the people who are supporting me. This blog is being written while I’m wearing a unicorn hat and I have a unicorn blanket across my lap.

But I’m getting very sleepy, so better sign off. Apologies for any grammar breakdowns, I’m fading… Thank you again, for all the warm wishes and support.

Kate