I really do apologize to all of you who are following the blog to have left you in suspense about the chemo. The good news is that it was "not that bad" - the bad news "it will get worse"...
I'm sure that part of it is just anxiety, but mostly I stay very tired and sick at my stomach - like a mild flu. There are some wierd side effects that I'm still trying to adjust to - like sensitity to touch (particularly cold), and a little bit of a jittery feeling like my nerves are all twitching at once. My biggest disappointment was that the side effects increased even after I stopped the treatment (duh - that really is something that I should have known). Somehow I expected the worse to be DURING the 3 days when they were administring treatment but there was a bit of a delayed reaction. Even though we disconnected the pump Friday night, yesterday was probably the worse day. So far today is much better!
That's the quick physical report - nothing really earth shattering - no green skin or sudden immergence of latent super hero skills (ha - silly me - everyone knows that's radiation not chemo!). Although I am a little uncomfortable, I am doing pretty well and am still very thankful for my fantastic support group. My biggest regret is that I wasn't able to get outside more last week - the weather was so incredibly beautiful!
This week I learned that I should have had my teeth cleaned BEFORE starting chemo. Chemo can cause more cavities as well as mouth sores, but due to risk of infection, I can't have any work done while on chemo treatments! Wish I had known that a couple of weeks ago!
I pray that none of you, or anyone you know, ever has to go through the Cancer Experperience, but chances are some of you will. So just maybe, I can use my own lessons learned to help the next person and add some meaning to all this. Let me know if you have any questions, but PLEASE remember that the comments on the Blog are visible to everyone. If you want to send me a personal message, please use my email address!
Moving on from the basic physical report to... continuing personal journey!
This whole new world is difficult for me to adjust to - the world of medical magic! When I accepted the fact that I needed conventional help, there was a part of me that just let go of the "reins". No matter how badly I wanted to believe that I could, I conceded that my desire for natural and simple remedies would not be sufficient - So I passed through the MDA looking glass and became part of their world. I pushed past my fear and basic distrust of "chemical solutions" and resolved myself to "do whatever the doctor ordered" - prepared like Alice to "nibble here" and " eat this"...
Not only is that completely out of character for me, but I've come to realize that it is not necessary. Sure, the doctors are professionals and know the conditions and the drugs, and in most cases they will be able to prescribe the best course of action. But no matter how fantastic the doctors are at MDA or anywhere else, I still believe that every person has to be involved and responsible for their own treatment and condition. "Google before you swallow"... a new version of "look before you leap"!
I was very excited to find out that MDA and the Cancer Society believe that as well. They have a whole area of support known as the "Complementary & Alternative Medicines" where individuals can suppliment their conventional cancer treatments with everything from accupuncture to yoga... nutrition, exercise, prayer and music!
So I am back to exploring my options... oh, I will still follow the prescribed chemo treatments, but at least I feel like I can be an active participant in my own healing process. That's a good thing!
Much love,
Sia
Monday, November 10, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
If you do glow in the dark, where were you at our house when Ike busted our power!!!???, we could've done with you here then.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Post a Comment