Chemo: 0
Team Amy123: 2
I think most people, me included, think of horrendous side effects when chemo is mentioned, and they can be. Before my treatment started, I read everything I could find (from reputable sources, of course) about the possible side effects, not just of the chemotherapy itself but also all the other drugs I knew I would be prescribed. I tried to prepare myself mentally for any and all of them. Some I felt I could deal with (hair loss, fatigue). Others were a bit more scary (headaches, nausea and sickness, pain in general, just feeling yucky and dysfunctional). I do not cope well with pain.
I also tried to prepare my body physically, a process that had actually begun a couple of weeks before I found the lump in my breast (more on this in a future blog post, perhaps). It is generally well known that a healthy lifestyle can help prevent some cancers, as well as other problems such as heart disease, diabetes, strokes, etc. What I didn’t know was that it can also reduce the risk of some cancers returning and that it can have a big impact on how the body copes with cancer treatment, including chemo. So I decided to up my game: I tried to eat a “clean” diet, cutting down on refined carbs and unhealthy fats and eating lots more fruit and veg, getting adequate rest, and taking a good brisk walk every day. The next step is to incorporate some resistance training. Cue HCA again (he’s very handy to have around) who found a set of resistance bands that he used for physio after one of his accidents.
I can’t be certain, of course, but I believe that these steps have helped me cope with chemo. They certainly won’t have done me any harm! So far, I haven’t had any of the nasty side effects I had been fearing. In fact, the worst thing has been the effect on my taste buds. Toast tastes like chalky cardboard, tea and water - the only two things I drink - are unappetising, I’ve gone off cake, chocolate and biscuits (these are a few of my favourite things), and everything needs a good helping of spices, salt and pepper to make it palatable. But even this gets better as I go through each cycle. I’m definitely tired (the kind of fatigue that doesn’t get better with rest), I can’t walk as far or as fast as before, but I still get a walk in every day (thanks to HCA for encouraging me and walking with me).
Beautiful autumn days
I am so thankful that I haven’t had a single day of feeling too ill to get out of bed and get dressed, I haven’t felt nauseous (apart from once just after I’d had my first infusion) or been sick, no pain and no headaches! Oh, picking up an infection after Chemo #1 wasn’t great, but the main downside of that was having to spend four nights in hospital where I got no sleep. Hair loss is a given, but I’ll take that over pain any day.
I have one more cycle of virgin Marys and mojitos. Then I will have four cycles of a different cocktail. Hopefully the side effects will be equally bearable.
The Japanese style courtyard garden at the cancer care unit
Today is the start of week three of cycle two – my good week. Food is starting to taste ok again (especially savoury things, but fruit tastes good fortunately), and tea and toast are back on the menu!! I have more energy, walking a bit faster and further! I am still feeling positive thanks to my three F’s: Faith, Family, Friends. But I’m sure that the walks in the amazing weather we have been having are also helping to keep my spirits up, and I am reminded each day that I have so much to be thankful for. So, I can’t sign off without saying “thank you” again to everyone who has prayed for me and my family, taken the time to get in touch, dropped by with gifts, flowers and shopping, and reminded me that I am not on this journey alone. I am truly blessed.
