Chemo #2 and My Max Face
Two weeks ago, Chemo #1 went well and for two days I felt great and thought this was just too easy…. then reality hit and I was down and out for the count. It took seven days of fatigue before I was able to get up and do anything at all. That’s why there was no update in the journal and it was difficult to send emails to let folks know I was ok. Never experienced fatigue and had no idea how debilitating it can be. Not complaining, because if that’s the only side effect I have from all this….. I’ll take it.
My blood counts were low and getting an infection was a concern so they told me to call them if my temperature reached 100.5 and sure enough, a few hours, later, it did. Took 7 days of antibiotics and everyone was very careful to wash and sanitize before coming near. By Thursday of last week I started to feel human and was able to be up and about for an hour or two before having to rest again.
Chemo #2, Dr Hong said he was going to lower the strength of the chemo and give me an additional anti-nausea medication. He didn’t want me to go through all of that again – I agree.
As the new anti-nausea stuff was dripping in, I started to feel sensations that I can’t explain. In a way, my insides felt like they were expanding and I was getting hot. At first, I didn’t want to say anything and thought I could fight it and not be a baby but…. nope, I told Ed to get someone. Sure enough I was having an allergic reaction and I was flushed, high blood pressure and something else was off kilter, but don’t remember…. oxygen level or something. I felt as if I was fading in and out from what they were asking me but as soon as they stopped the IV, I started to feel better. Poor Dr. Hong stood there and said “I was only trying to help you.” I asked if that was a normal reaction and, of course, we all know the answer….. he’d never seen that before. I know it was a scare for Ed and Tim, but they each handled it like the troopers they are…. my body guards!
I’m doing much better and will take these small incidents compared to what could be happening.
Thank you, everyone, for all that you’ve done for me in so many ways.
HERE IS MY MAX FACE – HEY, WAIT, HE HAS MORE HAIR THAN I DO!
