Taking Drugs!

Less than 2 weeks to Chemo ....

I was at the hospital today going over all the info the doctor gave me the other week - nurse discussed all the side affects from the chemo drugs - what each one does etc.  I couldn't take it all in - one thing I did pick up was ...if you had an easy pregnancy, you were more likely to have an easier time on chemo - don't know how that works, but that was interesting.   I am not very knowledgeable but hormones play a role in what type of drug they give you and dependent on what type of cancer it is, i.e. if it is hormonal receptive or not.

She named the drugs one after the other just like it was no big thing - she was quite flippant about it actually and I called her on it - this is my 'one time' - I know she was doing her job - but to me I could have used a bit more empathy - it is like falling into an abyss with all this nausea, mouth sores, pain when hair falls out, fatigue, joint pain, possibility of nails falling off, fever (urgent to get to the hospital if a fever occurs), etc. etc. - all this information is very hard to process.  And then, on top of all the stuff they put into you, you get other drugs to help counteract the problems - that is a whole other process.  3 Nausea drugs, 2 of which I cannot pronounce - one that works on the stomach, the other that works with the brain, the other Gravol!  2 other drugs to take morning of chemo, 1 for just that day, and the other for that day and the day after.  Then the expensive one you pick on before you leave after Chemo to boost the immune system. Oh my gosh  I wonder how the elderly (older than me!!) make out - all this on top of their regular medicine.  Wow!

So needless to say - it is all coming down now.  Surgery was a piece of cake I think compared to what is ahead.  But I hope to battle on in my usual fashion with humour and being open about what I am experiencing.  It might not be as bad as I have indicated above - people don't get all the side affects, they might get one or two or they might get none - it is an individual thing.

Stopped by Hearth Place again and tried on some wigs - didn't see anything I loved but it was good to get some ideas.  Signed up for 'Look Good Feel Better" - need to know how to do the pencil eyebrows!!  Not my style.  But I think you get free stuff - makeup and stuff - so that might be fun!!

Well - just getting ready to take George for his doctor's appointment - it is all go.

Talk to you soon.

Jeaninne