AC Chemo Round 2 Day 1-7
Day 1 - treatment at midday.
24 April 2013
Before treatment feeling very 'normal' except for
- advancing baldness - crew cut is now coming off in the shower - didn't start till Day 20 after chemo 1
- surgery site - scar has healed well but cording has been bothering me (4 laser treatments with Lymph Physio have greatly improved things; more needed)
- general dryness - skin, eyes, mouth
- tenderness in mouth (not actual ulcers)
At treatment
- blood test - white cells 5.1 (must be over 3)
- oncologist suggested I take Losec each morning for 10 days this time to help with the indigestion and reflux I had last time
- given sandwich and a drink but more importantly given an iceblock to suck on while red Adriamycin goes in - keeps mouth cold so drug stays away and less likely to get ulcers
- listened to Jane Austen audiobook while second drug was dripped in taking an hour (fell asleep during this). Tim read his book too - very patient and supportive with someone who is not much company!!
- walked out not feeling as fuzzy as the first time round
Day 2
- took prescribed Temazepam to help me sleep as the Dexamethasone prescribed for nausea gives you insomnia - drugs for drugs!!
- up at 7am - drugs and breakfast
- 30 minute walk
- shower - most hair has fallen out with just a light fuzz left (not a good look); still have eyebrows and eyelashes
- Redwin Vit E moisturiser on all parts of body including scalp (can't do my back!)
- eyedrops for dry eyes
- Biotene toothpaste and mouth wash- after main meals or rinse with salty water
- lay down lunch time but not sleeping
- eating normally
- plenty to drink - dry and thirsty
Day 3
- rose at 7am - breakfast and drugs
- only had a few hours sleep - didn't take Temazepam....
- 30 mins walk
- bowels doing their thing each morning (taking 2 Coloxyl each night)
- late morning put ear plugs in and managed to have an hours sleep; repeated this at about 4pm
- feeling queasier and more thick headed
Day 4
- took Temazepam at 11pm and got about 6 hours sleep - which is good!
- now feeling queasy and fuzzy and tired
- don't feel like eating most foods but want to graze constantly to appease the queasiness
- eating soft Clix biscuits, bread and butter and vegemite, whizzed pear
- now sitting or lying on couch most of the time and dozing; smile has gone
Day 5
- same as day 4 but more out of it
- just listened to audiobook, grazing often and dozing
- don't feel like myself at all - no fun
- but keep telling myself this will pass!!
Day 6
- more clear headed
- feel like getting up and about more
- still a bit queasy but much brighter
- still a bit tired and need to lie down a couple of times during the day
Day 7
- much better