Side effects

I am now feeling normal again.  It took about 9 days but I woke up last Wednesday and actually felt mainly human.  I have improved steadily since then and even hazarded a glass of wine on Sunday and Monday.  I have not however felt the need to carry on with the glasses of wine as it just don't taste the same anymore!  Can only do me good, I suppose...

Sadly, this Sunday didn't just herald the return of the vino it also heralded the beginning of the end for my hair.  Sudden hair loss?  Definitely.  In the space of one day I lost half my hair.  Obviously Poppy sitting on my lap pulling it out in great handfuls whilst gurgling with laughter did speed up the process somewhat but it is now Wednesday and having had my hair cut very short on Monday I have had to resort to the clippers today to bring it down to a Grade 2 as there are now more gaps than patches of hair.  I am hoping that it will now be a bit more comfortable when wearing a hat as so far it has been rather sore when the hat moves the hair as the skin is very sensitive. 

As for any other side effects I appear to be, and my fingers are firmly crossed here, quite lucky.  I had a very dry mouth for ten days so drank loads of water to counteract it and my gums are a little sensitive but not SORE like they could be.  As for bruising and bleeding, anaemia, diarrhoea, kidney problems, numbness and tingling, gritty eyes and the other endless side effects listed in the information leaflets I seem to have avoided the main horrors.  As I say, fingers crossed.

So.  I am now bald and have some hearing loss (more than normal) but apart from that, the horror of a fortnight ago seems slightly unreal. 

We saw the oncologist yesterday who was appalled to hear how badly the first dose had affected me and said he would prescribe the mega anti sickness drug for me that is only licenced to be used on patients for whom all other drugs have failed.  Did I think I qualified? My lovely husband jumped in at this point and said that he had taken to placing buckets strategically round the house so yes, he did think I qualified.  The consultant agreed and went to put it on my prescription but then saw that it had already been put there by another doctor when I was rehydrated!

I am approaching next Tuesday with a mixture of terror, as I now know how horrible it can be, a small bit of confidence that they will give me the right anti nausea drugs so it won't be as bad as last time and more than a shred of excitement (still?  have I not learnt?) because it will be two down, four to go.  Each one done is one closer to the end of them. 

And I defy anyone not to get excited about that!!