I kept meaning to post this but chemo brain is real. Out of 16 weeks of chemo I have completes 11 so far. The first half was a chemo affectionately known as "the Red Devil" and it lived up to the name. Now the chemo I'm on is more pain, muscle spasms and fatigue. Five more weeks. Then I can focus on radiation. Five more weeks. Chemo is pretty shitty. Days get categorized into good or bad and the longer the chemo, the more the scale leans heavily onto bad days. Because of the COVID quarantine, support people aren't allowed in the infusion center, so I currently drive myself to and from the office each time. In addition to that, there are a few fun facts that I've learned in my personal experiences and some of the best advice I've found helpful. In no particular order, here are a few of them: They give you two bags of anti nausea drugs as well as a bag of steroids before they even pump the chemo into you. Every time. They also give you a white blood cell boo
I had surgery last Friday to have my port put in. other than a terribly apathetic anesthesiologist it went well I think. The port itself is uncomfortable pressure in my chest and I have a bit of a headache as well as some pain when I laugh or cough. Not to mention that I'm already pretty fatigued. Two surgeries in less than three weeks has taken toll on me mentally and physically. I swear every week is filled with cancer related appointments. In the last six weeks I've had: 3 ultrasounds 2 mammograms Biopsy MRI Surgical Oncology appointments Genetic testing Radiation Oncology appointments Medical Oncology appointments Surgery Post Op appointments Echocardiogram More surgery I can't get away. Now the start date for chemotherapy looms less than 72 hours away and I feel unprepared, unfocused and nervous. I think I just have to chalk today up to being a not great day emotionally and start again tomorrow. Hopefully in a better mood and with less of a headache.