In a larger sense, I'm now 2/3 done. Eight chemo infusion sessions out of twelve. Four more to go, currently expected to end on June 18th, assuming I don't have to postpone any due to dropping white blood cell counts or other side effects. Every infusion session is identical in terms of medication and protocol, every infusion session is different in terms of practice and side effects. I am getting better at this, but it's tough.
I track the side effects in a spreadsheet. I rate each by intensity, trend and specific experiences. Here's everything I've registered thus far:
- Headache
- Confusion
- Extreme fatigue
- Oversleeping
- Undersleeping
- Sleep dysfunction
- Bowel distress/constipation
- Bowel distress/severe diarrhea
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Cold sensitivity
- Impaired short term memory
- Impaired long term memory
- Impaired thinking skills
- Slowed thinking skills
- Impaired reading
- Dyscalculia
- Impaired observation/EQ
- Loss of appetite
- Food 'crashes
- Nausea
- Sexual dysfunction
- Excessive dental plaque
- Excessive ear wax
- Hoarseness
- Tissue in stool
- Nasal sores
- Nose bleed
- Mouth sores
- Mouth pain
- Emotional 'crashes'
Some of the side effects are cumulative, some are stable, some are episodic. I keep meaning to make a chart, to document the experience more fully. But I'm always too damned tired. Fatigue is the killer.
I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.