Halfway Done
I’ve got eight chemotherapy treatments under my belt, which is a milestone of sorts. I’ve completed eight of sixteen treatments - so, halfway.
Within the first few weeks of treatment, the most dramatic side effect of Taxol was my hair loss. I’m still not used to being bald, but I’m coping by wearing a variety of scarves and hats. And as for my bloody noses, even though still haven’t gotten used to the taste of blood, I’m managing. Saline spray, Vaseline and lots of Kleenex help to provide relief.
Now that I’m well into treatments, it seems that Taxol is really taking hold. The beds of my fingernails and my fingernails are changing. My nails are weakening, and the beds are discolored slightly. I’ve got a vertical white stripe near my cuticles on each nail, and a few of my nails have a sort of rust- colored speckling in the center of the fingernail. (I’m not sure what that is yet, but I’ll ask at chemo tomorrow.) The look of my nails doesn’t bother me, but the way my fingertips feel does. Applying anything more than light pressure, like lifting up the mattress of the bed or opening a pull-tab on a can of soda or trying to hold onto something in a fist, is uncomfortable. It almost feels like all of my fingertips are bruised. The good news is that I’m not surprised that my nails and fingernail beds are affected. This tells me that Taxol is attacking rapidly growing cells, thus, it’s doing its job.
I’m also feeling more tired than usual, but I think that’s because of symptoms from one of the symptoms of another of Taxol’s side effects – more specifically Taxol can kick-start menopause which could mean hot flashes which ultimately means lack of sleep.
Pre-cancer, a bed sheet, down comforter, low speed on the ceiling fan and air conditioner at 75 degrees provided a comfortable environment for sleep. Now that hot flashes have settled in, this nighttime combination no longer works. I wake feeling as if the covers are pressing down on me keeping air from cooling my body. Almost in a panic, I heave the covers from my body. The cool air in the room and breeze from the fan is a relief, so it takes only moments to return to sleep. As my body temperature returns to normal, however, I wake once again grasping fast and furiously for the weight and warmth of the covers I had earlier cast off. After only a couple nights of this, I decided that I’ve got to try something else or I’ll continue lose precious and much-needed rest.
My next attempt at a sound night’s sleep was to replace the down comforter with a cotton blanket and add a light bedspread. Temperature in the room remained at 75 degrees, but I turned up the ceiling fan to medium. I never woke to throw off covers because of hot flashes; instead I was awakened because the increased speed from the fan caused me to reach for the down comforter and a hat to cover my exposed head. Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before I was throwing off the covers and hat because I was burning up from a hot flash!
So, although feeling tired is a side effect of chemotherapy, clearly it’s these nighttime shenanigans that are the reason for my fatigue. I think I’ll try turning the fan speed back to low tonight and see if I can sleep through the night.
Love, Lisa
-MESSAGES-
Thinking of You The last few days several people have asked me about you. We just finished the second of our Missing Link courses--the last one is next Tuesday. G. is doing a great job with it. While I feel bad that you are not getting enough rest, I am glad to know that at least one other person is not sleeping! I'm going to call you soon. I miss you. S.
not much... Hello from the rainy town of Cypress. :) Not much going on here this summer. My children are in Louisiana with my parents for a vacation. It's the longest I've gone without them, I'm miserable! Today I actually wondered what I should do with myself! Of course, the answer came quickly - SHOPPING! :) Isn't Target the answer, no matter what the question??!! I also spent a great deal of time visiting with my grandmother, which was a nice treat. She is 84 years old, lives alone and is quite independent. My dad had to "scold" her last week for clearing some brush in her backyard and carrying it out to the trash BY HERSELF! I hope I have her genes. After our visit, I drove home alone in the rain and listened to music that I selected; it was strange not to have screaming pre-teen voices telling me that my taste in music "sucks..." :) Maybe I don't miss them so much after all... ha!
Well, I guess I'll close for now. I'm happy to read about your "TEAM MILLENBAH!" You have such a great support system! Thanks for the continued updates. You're in my prayers. XOXO and big ((((HUGS))))
thinking of you Lisa --I am so glad you are getting through the chemo and can see the results of the taxol --you know it is working and that means a lot. I have been through those hot nights with menopause --it too will pass and the tired feeling is probably from the chemo as well. The chemo is tough but keep thinking positively that it is killing off all those bad cells --I think of you often and hope you get through the chemo with the best of all possible results --with love E. W.
:) Wow...your optimism and strength still amazes me! My summer hasn’t been as exciting as D’s, but it has been rejuvenating. T. N. and I are teaching summer school together and just having a blast (I never thought I would say that about summer school...hehe). We are teaching World Geography ESL and it has been such a blessing...the kids have a burning desire to learn...it is positively inspiring!
"TEAM MILLENBAH" that is so great! Although now I guess I need to start working out to get back in shape...if I know H. (and I do...hehe) she is going to want us to RUN the 5K. So I have to get into shape...can’t let her beat me...hehe! Time to go shop (need cute matching jogging gear...hehe) As always...you are in my thoughts and prayers! J. P.
Good morning Mena! I just want to remind you that you live in Texas now...the home of cowboys, armadillos, hurricanes and humidity. It's okay to turn your thermostat below 75!!! Although your head getting cold is an issue. I bet your mom could make you a cute cap to sleep in! I will be happy to make you that swim cap we laughed about and glue hair from the hair salon on it. Then you could sleep in that at night with the thermo at 68 and the cap on your head for warmth. Oh! Oh! I just had a visual! Phyllis Diller used to wear this cap and it had all these feathers coming out of it. I bet we could find one in a retro shop! A million hugs! Pause
suggestion for nosebleeds Your instant menopause account sure was sobering! I use a product for dry nostrils that I wonder if you would like? It's OTC, called "Ayr"--it's a saline gel that is very soothing and lubricating. I hope it gives some comfort. Hang in there!
Team Millenbah Hey Lisa, you may have seen this already but as of today Team Millenbah is #1 in Team Standings out of 220 teams. How cool is that? I guess I better get out walking/running soon. Talk to you soon.