So wonderful to hear your counts are good and you are handling the Red Devil so well. Both my Oncologist and Eye doctor would be proud to hear of your diet of higher protein and green vegetables. Every time I go I get quizzed if I am eating, "leans, beans, and greens." I told them both if the medical profession ever gets tiring, they have a budding career as poets. I am still sad and get teary-eyed that you had your life changed by this savage enemy but happy you chose to engage in battle and show it who is boss.
Beth Happy happy happy your numbers are good and your halfway through. Praying and hoping for minimal side effects.
This is so weird, but when I look at the pictures of that chemo apparatus with the "red devil" in the post above, I actually have a visceral reaction... it makes me have a wave of dread and nausea. What the?? As I wrote in my Diary thread, I'm feeling almost human today. I'm cheesed because during Taxol my hair was actually starting to come back, and now after 2 AC's it is falling out again. Really annoying since my shoulders look like a terrier has been shedding on me. I'm not doing so well with hats, scarves, and wigs... they are all uncomfortable and hot. I'm too vain to walk around without a head covering so this is an ongoing battle. Of course I have to wear a head covering while cooking or eating; a hair in my food will have me gagging for days. At least I'm home alone today so I can just be comfortable.
Hah. I wouldn't say that I'm "handling it well" at all, Faye. Thanks for the encouragement, though. I'm mostly just hanging on for dear life and wishing it was over with. I haven't been eating much at all this week. I had scrambled eggs one morning and threw them up, so I've been nibbling on fruit and a little soup. I managed a little ice cream last night; so much for the "healthy diet."
Thank you so much, Tony. I'm really glad I don't have the additional torture of that shot for low blood counts.
Seems that the second "red devil" has made me feel even worse for longer this time. I am so out of breath with minimal movement, and my heart rate stays high all the time--I am really worried about permanent heart damage. My taste buds are so messed up that nothing tastes right; it's frustrating to not enjoy a simple glass of iced tea. I'm supposed to be drinking more, especially water, but I can't make myself when my off-taste makes me nauseous. (whine) I'm making a list of my concerns and will send a message to my doctor later. I am so tired of this, and discouraged to boot. I'm not used to feeling like a sick person and it makes me sad, then furious. I HATE cancer, but I hate the treatment just as much.
Beth, You have legitimate concerns I would not call that whining. Make a list for the doctor that's a great idea especially find out what you can drink that will taste decent. I checked online they suggest adding a lime, lemon, or fruit juice to your water. They claim drinks with high sugar will taste worse. Supposedly staying hydrated reduces the off taste from the chemo. This is a list from online Drink beverages such as diluted fruit juice, milk, buttermilk, lemonade, ginger ale or sports drinks. Choose desserts that aren't as sweet, such as yogurt, custard, pumpkin pie, fruit, baked fruit, fruit with cottage cheese, fruit crumble, plain doughnuts, or graham crackers. I hope and pray that you will find a drink and food with an acceptable taste 2 help you get through this. It's okay to be mad and frustrated you're doing the right thing by looking to take it up with the doctor.
Thanks so much, Tony. I have been using lemons and limes, making lemonade, drinking orange juice, and drinking Sprite which I never used to like. I just want to drink a big glass of cold water and enjoy it without gagging. I bought some Jolly Ranchers hard candies and put one of them in my mouth, then drink water... that "kind of" works. It's very frustrating. Last night I had a big bowl of watermelon that tasted pretty good; I'm finding that most fruit tastes like it should, thank goodness.
Beth That's great stick with the stuff that works, you have some good ideas there. Make your happy hour " watermelon Crush".
Thank you, @Gloria Mitchell . I don't consider myself a survivor nor a "warrior" or any of those terms. Honestly I'm not strong or defiant... I just show up and do what I have to do. It's wearing on me, though, and fills me with absolute dread. You guys are so great.
This is kind of a weird thing that I've put on my "must ask doctor" list. For years... actually, as long as I can remember... I've had a small bony osteoma on my left temple. An osteoma is a bony benign bone tumor that usually occurs on the skull. Mine is about the size of half a BB, and usually is hidden by my hair. I recently noticed that it appears to have disappeared, after being there for at least 30 years. What the?? I used to have a habit of twirling my hair and rubbing that little bump on my head when I was feeling anxious. Maybe I finally wore it down to nothing. Oh--I'm going to ask the doc if it's possible that chemo had an effect on that thing. So odd.