Day 0 to Infinity
Chemo wrapped up on Tuesday. I spent most of the day in bed. Wednesday was my “day of rest” so I spent most of that in bed as well. They had been forcing me to urinate every two hours over the course of two days, that in addition to vitals, blood drawing for labs, doctor visits, Nurse Practitioners coming to call and many others. I’ll break it down Pro/Con style.
PRO: The nurses are very helpful and encouraging. The way I’ve been feeling the last few days, I’ve needed it.
CON: My saliva. This hellish side effect has been mentioned before, and it’s back with a vengeance. It’s basically taken over. I have to spit it out constantly or try to suction it, or both. Last night I woke about once an hour to do this. I really am over it. It’s not abating soon though.
PRO: The transplant seems to be working as it should. It took all of three minutes (on Day 0) and didn’t feel like anything. Totally bizarre. The transplant doesn’t seem to be doing anything out of the ordinary so far, so hopefully the 21 year-old donor cells are working their magic and grafting away.
CON: Other side effects. Whether it’s from radiation, chemo or some of the meds I’m taking, my skin has turned bright red, and feels a bit like a sunburn. Considering I haven’t been outside in 12 days, it’s definitely not from the sun. My skin is blotchy and puffy since I’m retaining fluids. My weight went up 5 pounds one day just because of fluids.
PRO: TPN is starting tonight. Total Patient Nutrition means I will be getting “fed” through a tube so I don’t have to worry if I’m too nauseous to eat. Not being able to drink anything still sucks though.
CON: These are normal side effects but very annoying. I have been told to expect them for up to a week longer.
PRO: The worst should be over. The transplant seems to be fine, and I just need to be patient. Not my biggest virtue, but it’s steadily improved in the past four months.
That’s it for now. I may be radio silent if I get the morphine drip they keep talking about (not optimistic) or just don’t have anything but saliva to report (likely). I am probably not getting of here before mid-November. Gag.
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