I sat in the chair in a peaceful, relaxed state. And why not? Three weeks prior I had had my first infusion and innocently thought this round would have the same 5 days of side effects – which would clear on the 6th day.
Little did I know how wrong I was.
When you get on the “chemo bullet train,” you are aboard an unpredictable Beast! There is no telling how your body is going to react. Each new round exacts a harsher toll.
I literally had to throw out my Manual of “Predictable Side Effects” and Fly by The Seat of My Pants! Imagine a pilot in the air whose plane suddenly becomes out of control! He/she has to throw aside the manual and rely on instincts and new methods of intervention.
And so it was with me. This round I had much harsher and scary side effects that are still with me 10 days after the infusion:
- Day 1 – no side effects because of pre-meds for nausea and allergic reaction
- Day 2 – beginning of allergic reaction – red face, puffy eyes, sore red middle knuckle on Right hand that felt like sudden arthritis. I took preemptive Allegra – to no avail
- Day 3 – severe allergic reaction on face, involving swollen, weepy eyes; more intense pain on right knuckle, red swollen feet with peeling skin. I spent the whole day in Cold Therapy socks and gloves, using the gloves to cool my face. I was miserable!
- Days 4-10 – severe food aversion and rock-hard constipation unresponsive to Milk of Magnesia. Other symptoms too serve to allow me to run/walk outside Spent many days in hot bathtub with Epsom Salts and Bend Company Goat Milk/Oatmeal/Honey Milk Bath, followed by gently pulling off loose skin, then covering them with Bag Balm ointment and soft socks.
I lost weight (2 pounds) from food aversion and lack of muscle building exercise.
I felt depressed and overwhelmed but Kept Moving Forward each day, attentively listening to my Precious Body and what she needed, not giving up on Her or my belief that this chemotherapy will eliminate the remaining cancer from my body.
I kept my Faith – believing in that which I could not yet see. I called on the Holy Trinity to help me, shared my feelings and challenges with my family and friends, and documented my experiences to share with other cancer patients and care givers/my Medical Support Team.
Today I pushed myself to take a 1.5 hour run/walk with hand weights on my beloved steep hills and was richly rewarded with Joy, Energy, and wonderful encounters with people, pets, giant soothing wind chimes, and nature, and finally, the return of my digestion and elimination. Praise God!
Motto of this Article?
Be Flexible during Chemotherapy
Keep Your Eyes on the End Goal of Eradicating Cancer
Believe in Your Ability to Heal and Conquer
Ask God and Your Support Team for Help
Trust that your body, mind, emotions and spirit will lead you. They love you