Everyone told me the effects of chemo would be cumulative. They told me I would start out feeling strong and decent. They said I might even feel very normal and not sick at all. Then they assured me that I would slowly wear down.
"They" were right.
I spent most of Friday, Saturday and Sunday either lying on the couch or curled up in bed. I slept, I dozed, I got up and went to the bathroom. Then I laid back down as soon as possible. Even after getting ten hours of sleep the night before, I found myself shutting my eyes for a "quick cat nap" only to wake up three hours later. The entire weekend was like some weird Rip Van Winkle experience. One day it was Friday. The next I knew, it was Sunday.
And the bloating... It is un-freakin-believeable. I have no words to describe it. My stomach literally distends out to a point where I look like I am at least six months pregnant. My entire abdomen is tender and sore. It is mostly caused by fluid retention from the chemo (taxotere). Throw in some good old-fashioned constipation which is a side effect of just about everything I am taking, and you have a recipe for extreme discomfort. (And flatulence but we won't go there!)
I am drinking lots of water, taking my diurectic every day, eating lots of fiber and even taking Miralax. The only thing I can do is wait it out - wait for the chemo to get flushed out of my body. I believe it's starting to happen because today is the first day where I have been able to feel halfway human and also stay awake all day.
I am slowly feeling better... just in time for my last round of chemo on December 7!
If you aren't measuring your water, try to start. Buy a 64 ounce pitcher. I've found that I *think* I'm drinking water, until I actually measure it and realize I've only had 16 ounces instead of the 64 I need. I know it's counter-intuitive, but the more water you drink, the less you'll be bloated.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you. You are on the home stretch! Celebrate in your dreams! You'll be doing it awake soon enough! :) That last chemo is a great milestone and congrats in advance on reaching it!