Update from 4/24-5/3
Over the last week my body has gone through numerous changes. Overall, it has not been as bad as I had envisioned. We’ve had a few bumps, but we’ve learned a lot and will hopefully be able to avoid some of them the next round. I am super grateful.
The day or two after chemo I felt fairly spry. They had me on a steroid that gave me a boost of energy. I thought, “Man if I feel this good, I can play soccer or go out on the boat or…”
Reality hit soon after. It started with a slow decline in energy. Sunday and Monday I spent a lot of time laying around. I felt similar to how you would feel when fighting a bug off, low energy, headachy and just an overall “blah” feeling. Again, not too horrible but not so fun. My mouth and nose started drying out, nose bleeds started happening, and my mouth didn’t feel so great, kind of raw. My appetite was suppressed for sure.
Thankfully my husband stepped in and made me drink water and eat. Had he not insisted I probably would not have consumed much and would have paid for it later. Normally, I know better, but I was feeling poorly, so nutrition was the last of my concerns. I am grateful for his care and his continual love and support. I am really blessed to have him in my camp.
Tuesday my energy levels felt better, and I was up and around more. Mid afternoon my chest started hurting. By evening it felt pretty tight, we decided to call the after-hours number to speak with the on call doctor. She dismissed the pain as heartburn with instructions to treat it accordingly. This diagnosis did not ring quite true.
Wednesday the pain was still there and increased as the day wore on. By this time I was confident I was not dealing with heartburn. Because of this and some other weird side effects, James called the head nurse, Colleen. We really like her; she is super spunky, down to earth, compassionate and on top of things. She determined we needed to go in to be checked out. Not what we wanted to hear, but off we went.
Upon arriving they drew my labs. After a consultation with the physician assistant they explained that most of the side effects were part of what they’ve coined, “chemo crumbles”. It’s what happens the first week after chemo, they expect you to feel like crap. I fit that description quite well and could accept that definition.
However, they were concerned about the chest pain as it did not fit into the normal definition of chemo crumbles. This earned me an EKG, they also had me walk and tested my oxygen levels. When the machine showed a significant drop, they sent me for a CAT Scan to make sure I did not have any blood clots.
Thankfully, I remained somewhat naive to the possible seriousness of this. My brain just wouldn’t go there. I knew it could be serious but remained at peace and wouldn’t entertain any negative thoughts. The technician was a hoot, she told funny stories of other patients. She even brought James back so he could be with me; most technicians would not do this. She had a fun time harassing him and kept the mood light. Because of the chemo they had to test my kidney function before performing the CAT Scan. It checked out fine. After a considerable wait we were told the doctor said we could go home. The CAT scan showed I was all clear.
Thankful but exhausted we picked up the kids and went home. We were confused, why had my oxygen levels dropped and why was my chest still hurting? By this time my back had started hurting, too. I was not feeling very well.
Because I was in pain, I did not sleep great that night. I woke in the wee hours and started worrying. I started to wonder if I was having an allergic reaction to the chemo and other crazy thoughts. I just couldn’t understand where this pain was coming from.
Thursday- James did not feel comfortable leaving me home alone. I was really glad for his decision and thankful he has the flexibility to do this. As the morning wore on I became more grateful to have him with me. The pain was growing significantly, my whole core hurt enough to take my breath away; I felt almost lightheaded from it.
Around 8 or 9 James called and spoke with the nurse again. She had our doctor call us back almost immediately. He asked some pointed questions and determined that I was experiencing bone pain from my Neulasta shot given to me the day after Chemo. We had been told we would experience pain within 24-48 hrs of receiving the shot but he explained that everyone was different and could experience pain within 21 days of receiving the shot. He stated that I probably had really strong bone marrow which explained the delay. The fix for this is to take Claritin. No one knows why it works but it does. Relief came fairly quickly.
Thanks be to God
Later James drove me to the surgeon’s office (Dr. Morrison) for a check up of my port. We are really glad for our surgeon, we really like her. After James told her about our observations that the tumor seemed to have shrunk, she examined me. She confirmed the tumor had shrunk, not just a little but significantly! There is just a small fraction of the tumor left!
Prior to Chemo this tumor was huge, 2 inches long and at least 1 inch by 1 inch wide just in the area we could feel. The MRI showed the other side to be even larger. It was almost protruding, you did not have to search for it, you could see it and feel it with a brush of your hand. It was hard and bumpy feeling. Now it is flat and feels more like normal breast tissue.
After the surgeon appointment we went to the Oncology office to meet with our doctor. They did another oxygen test, and my levels were fine. They think that something was done incorrectly the day prior. My blood pressure was great. They confirmed that the pain I had felt was the bone pain from my booster shot. Next time they will decrease my dosage, and I will start taking Claritin right away.
It was a crazy two days. We were kind of reeling in there and wondering what was going on. I have concluded that in a round about way God allowed my whole body to be checked out. I now have confirmation that my heart, my kidneys and my lungs are fine and handled this first round of chemo fine. It brought a measure of relief to my heart that I wasn’t even aware that I needed. Some of the possible side effects of these drugs could have an impact on these organs, to know they were okay was comforting. God does not waste anything.
Friday I was still tired but felt like my body was on the mend. Saturday confirmed that I was feeling more like my regular self. I am hopeful for a more normal week. They have told me to expect to lose my hair this week, so I guess it won’t be completely normal. We are taking each day at a time. He gives us daily bread.
For those of you who stuck with me for another very long post, thank you. I am sorry for the length. It has been a long week, and I had lots on my heart to share!
I appreciate all of you. I am so grateful not be walking this alone. Thank you for supporting, encouraging and praying for us. Our cup runneth over.
Sissy says
Sarah,
Praying for you and thinking of you each day. You are your family are so strong (I know you have your weak moments). God is with you every inch of the way. I hope the Prayer Shawl brings you comfort and keeps you wrapped in prayer during each treatment and doctor appointment.
Sending our love,
BSK&K