A Week Later

(I started this post on Friday, but didn't make it until Monday night.)

They say the effects from every chemo treatment could be different, but I learned an important lesson after my first session that will carry over through the next six months.

Rest.

The night I came home (Thursday, 4/5) I felt fine and even managed to catch up on some work after a brief nap. The next day I expected to wake up feeling horrible, but didn't. I didn't feel completely normal, but I also didn't feel like I needed to sit at home and rest. It's hard to explain, but I wasn't really displaying the side effects of the chemo treatment so I spent the afternoon at the office. Saturday was the same way, so I worked the game that night and then I went to do my radio show Sunday morning. Sunday afternoon I could hardly move. I didn't feel sick, but my stamina was less than zero. Even laying around on the couch was tiring. Monday I made an appearance in the office and then spent Tuesday and Wednesday working from home. Wednesday afternoon I finally felt 'normal' again. I still tire out quicker than normal, but I imagine that won't go away until the end of the year.

The bottom line is whether I feels like or not, I need to rest in the first couple of days after chemo.

NOTES

Within 24hrs after treatment #1 my swollen lymph node and body itchiness went away. They came back, but for a few days it was nice to see how quick the medicine works.

For about three days I shoveled everything I could into my mouth. The consensus is that the Decadron from my anti-nausea regimen made me a hungry hungry hippo.

The actual process of getting a chemo treatment was painless.

I still have my hair, but I am seeing a few extra strands lying around recently.

My PET scan from a couple of weeks ago confirmed that I am in stage two. It also showed an enlarged spleen, but it was within the limits of normal and was not believed to be involved with the cancer.