AC Chemo - Day 3
Happy to say day 3 went by very well with no surprising side effects.
Well, I did learn that bacteria overgrowth is happening already and that I was being slack with mouth hygiene so that is now a priority.
I did wake up with a bit of a sore throat and some mucus but I wrote it off to maybe having an allergic reaction as that is one of the way my allergies present. I am allergic to toothpaste and brush my teeth with bicarb soda and I thought myself not needing to rinse my mouth with salt... well I was wrong.
Luckily I did get get my backside out of the bed at that sore throat feeling and decided to rinse my mouth and gargle with salty water - just in case...
Happy to say pain gone and did not return and mucus subsided. I am both shocked and amazed that the bacteria work that fast - less than 48 Hours post being administered chemo they made themselves very very visible...
Learned my lesson well and resolved that now will brush plus gargle with salty water both when I get up and before going to bed plus after every meal. I am hoping this keeps that mouth / throat bacteria at bay...
I did find that somehow I am still needing to work a bit harder to concentrate as far as my vision goes and to kind of think twice about everything - almost as if I am not believing what I initially perceive to have seen or heard and am probably dozing off a bit too easily if I plonk myself on the sofa but I reckon it may be just my brain releasing from that fear of the unknown that it was dealing with in the past few weeks without me even realising it was happening...
Also does not help I have to hide for the rest of this week so not to run into mum (who we are keeping my BC a secret from until she gets back from an o'seas holiday she departs on Sunday for). She lives 1 suburb away so I always fear should I venture outside I may run into her - and she thinks I am at work... I am hoping that after she goes I will be able to get out more and walk in the daylight as being indoors is making me snooze way to much...
I should mention that I went to the 'look good feel better' workshop and it was a pleasant experience. I would very highly recommend it as apart from meeting some gorgeous women (both facilitators and attendees) I definitely learned more both about things to be aware off in terms of personal hygiene and caring for my skin and scalp as Chemo starts to take its toll. Interestingly learned that it is not a good idea to take to my hair with an electric clipper thing as I planned to do as apparently we need to lease some hair to help protect the scalp. And here was me planning to shave it all off myself as soon as mum left the country as I truly do not want to wait for it to fall out....
So instead went to the hairdresser and booked myself for a shearing session for Tuesday morning. Figuring he will do a better job since I need to leave some 'fluff' on the scull and make me look less ridiculous that I would do myself.
Oh yes, and the workshop definitely reinforced my decision that I am not going to be getting a wig. I mean I guess I should never say 'never' but somehow in spite of how realistic they looked and how the idea of appearing to look 'normal' appealed I cannot get past the feeling that I hate caring for my hair now (I am the wash shake and do not bother to brush girl now when it comes to my hair) and the amount of care that goes into those wigs sounded like the worst chore to me... I cannot imagine trying to stay on top of taking care for myself as Chemo progresses and at the same time caring for a mop of pretend hair more than I would care for my own...
I should mention that I am starting to get a very itchy scalp so guessing that is part of Chemo and maybe a sign that my hair will be going fast so again an idea of some pretend hair sitting over my scalp making me even more itchy and uncomfortable is not appealing in the least.
So, all in all, I think I have been having it easy compared to many other women as both the steroids and anti-nausea medication have been working for me.
Yes I do have a need to snooze more but there is no major tummy sickness about and I am grateful for it. Yes still burping (still amazed I manage to burp muchless to burp at just drinking water) but there has been no nausea.
Also Movicol has been working well for me and day 3 visit to the loo was very uneventful (and I was so grateful to have avoided the pain and distress of day 2 attempts...) so sticking to Movicol twice daily as per doctor's orders.
All in all I am doing a lot better than I expected to and am so immensely grateful for it. I know there is a lot ahead and it will be getting bad at times but for now planning to enjoy this peace as much as possible plus to try and create some sort of 'self care' routine for myself before things do get worse as i am thinking that I need a routine of both maintaining the more strict hygiene now that I am prone to bacteria plus need to be more organised with meds...
So much for me and my day 3 - happy to keep it univentfull :)
Jel.