The third week after chemo must be when the side effects show up.
Saturday, April 9, I woke up with a rash over my entire body that lasted for 5 days. Thank goodness it didn't itch!
Wednesday, April 13, I woke up with pain in my left jaw - difficulty eating my oatmeal with raisins that morning - by afternoon I could feel it going to the right jaw - I quickly got on the phone to the nurse who thought it might be a reaction from the chemo - which meant I might have to try a new chemo - but this is a mild chemo - would that mean I'd have to try a more aggressive one. The nurse made an appointment to meet with her the following day. In the meantime the pain from the left jaw disappears in the evening - by morning I have no jaw pain at all. I am CURED! The doctor reported that the chemo could not cause that reaction - he thought it might be my osteoporosis acting up, reaction to the Actonel I am taking for the osteoporosis, or just the grinding of my teeth at night -who knows - but thank goodness I don't have permanent Lock Jaw!
Friday, April 15, I woke up with leg pain. I didn't really realize it until I was standing still in the shower - I noticed my muscles start to ache more standing still but the pain goes away if I move my legs around. I did go to the mall and walked 5 miles this morning - worked fine -no problem - yet if I stand in one place they continue to ache or burn. Gee, I wonder how long this will last!
I have one more week until the second cycle begins - how many more exciting things will show up! Actually, this has been a pretty good week since I realized that these side effects are not permanent!
Since I was in to see the nurse - they let me get my blood checked. When I started chemo my white blood count was 32.6 - three weeks later it is 5.4 and going down. Normal range would be (4.0 -11.0). I am now normal! (for the time being)
I want to continue to thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Saturday, April 9, I woke up with a rash over my entire body that lasted for 5 days. Thank goodness it didn't itch!
Wednesday, April 13, I woke up with pain in my left jaw - difficulty eating my oatmeal with raisins that morning - by afternoon I could feel it going to the right jaw - I quickly got on the phone to the nurse who thought it might be a reaction from the chemo - which meant I might have to try a new chemo - but this is a mild chemo - would that mean I'd have to try a more aggressive one. The nurse made an appointment to meet with her the following day. In the meantime the pain from the left jaw disappears in the evening - by morning I have no jaw pain at all. I am CURED! The doctor reported that the chemo could not cause that reaction - he thought it might be my osteoporosis acting up, reaction to the Actonel I am taking for the osteoporosis, or just the grinding of my teeth at night -who knows - but thank goodness I don't have permanent Lock Jaw!
Friday, April 15, I woke up with leg pain. I didn't really realize it until I was standing still in the shower - I noticed my muscles start to ache more standing still but the pain goes away if I move my legs around. I did go to the mall and walked 5 miles this morning - worked fine -no problem - yet if I stand in one place they continue to ache or burn. Gee, I wonder how long this will last!
I have one more week until the second cycle begins - how many more exciting things will show up! Actually, this has been a pretty good week since I realized that these side effects are not permanent!
Since I was in to see the nurse - they let me get my blood checked. When I started chemo my white blood count was 32.6 - three weeks later it is 5.4 and going down. Normal range would be (4.0 -11.0). I am now normal! (for the time being)
I want to continue to thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Paula
Hi, Paula -
ReplyDeleteWell, it's been an interesting week for you, huh? How remarkable (and wonderful) that you continue to walk 5 miles!!
As for the other stuff that has been going on ... who knows???? I always find it disconcerting to get strange symptoms that seem to come and go on their own, without explanation. But from the tone of your note, it sounds like you are really taking it all pretty calmly, and in stride. (Oh, I guess that's another reference to that incredible 5 miles that you continue to walk!!!!)
I am very glad to read that you are "normal". I wish I could say the same for myself ;-) ... oh, you were talking about your BLOOD COUNT. Well, my BLOOD COUNT is normal, too. As for the rest of me ... and my family (including your dear friend, my sister Sally Biggerstaff) ... well, there's not a lot of "normal" going on with us. But then, that IS normal for us!! :-)
And now, my song link for today.
Actually I am posting two versions of the same song today. (Shout to the Lord)
The first is a simple version -- no graphics -- just the lyrics posted and the song sung.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I71XhjqoHvs&feature=related
Then (I couldn't believe it -- this made me CRY!) I found that in April of 2008, the "final 8" on American Idol had sung it as an ensemble, with two Gospel choirs in backup (just ignore the ads) --
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6G0U8Vg6nY&feature=related
Blessings!
Sent with love,
Lynn