This is how I have been feeling since chemo#2. On Thursday morning my nose started running on and off and then by Friday night it felt like a full on head cold...no temperature luckily. My fear is of course...how long is this cold going to last if I have a weak immune system!? 6 months!!? I hope not. I think I would be feeling pretty good without the cold. I was feeling a lot more nauseasness (than last time) on day 3 (Thurs) and it sort of came in waves but nothing I felt I needed more drugs for (I do have another drug to take if needed). I have also noticed that I do best if I don't wait too long between snacks.
I have been doing more research into natural supplements...lots of conflicting info out there (of course!)....mostly whether you should take antioxidants or not in case they help the cancer cells too. I wanted to figure out any way to help boost my white blood cells (WBC) but the main recommendation (Polerga - pig spleen extract or peptide - ewww!) is super pricey and as with most natural supplements the scientific evidence is dicey. Often chemo patients are given neupogen or neulasta shots to help WBC counts (I haven't been) and I asked my oncologist about this at my last appt and she indiciated that recent (last several years) it has been found that these shots increase the lung toxicity effects of the Bleomycin (the B in ABVD) and therefore are not being used for cancer patients taking Bleomycin....so I guess it's just up to my own bone marrow to get busy! Now to kick this cold!
My hair is thinning. I don't think I will be saved from this particular side-effect. I can take out small fingerfuls if I run my hand through my hair.....not crazy but definitely NOT normal daily hair loss. I think I am prepared..if not particularly happy about this particular aspect of the chemo. It's just hair...it'll come back! Also I keep hearing that it may come back different at first...curly or darker (please less grey!). That would be weird!
Once again thanks to all of the kind words of support I've received this week. It is truly, truly, appreciated. I do apologize for dropping this on some of you while at work and distracting you from your tasks at hand! No reading blogs while at work!! :)
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Hi Jenn, It's Annmarie. I just found out and wow! You know how to get someone's attention. I hope you are feeling slightly improved since Sunday. Stay strong, all things are possible and there are people all over this globe of ours rooting for you. Thinking of you....
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