Number One Down

Well I made it through my first round of chemo.  It was definitely not what I expected and I found myself unprepared for the reality of it.

I did a lot of reading up on chemo side effects and on what to expect.  My wonderful nurse also tried to help prepare me for it.  So when my first side effect came I was baffled and confused.  I didn't read anywhere about a blinding headache.  It hurt so bad to move my head or lift my eyelids.  Poor Steven felt so helpless because all he could do is tell me he loved me from afar.  (He was in his isolation status for his Thyroid Cancer and was Radioactive.)  He did call our home teacher and asked if he could come give me a blessing.  Our wonderful home teacher and our wonderful bishop came over not long after.  I felt guilty for laying down while they gave me a blessing, but I didn't have the strength to get up.

I was given two nausea prescriptions to help me after chemo.  I asked the nurse how I should take them.  She told me I could take them intermittently or take them both at the same time.  I decided to take them at the same time every six hours as directed so as not to get confused.  I later learned that one of the nausea pills I was taking every six hours is a sedative.  I was so out of it that I did not eat or drink as I should have.  I did try.  I just had no appetite and my acid reflux was so bad that drinking water seemed to make it worse.  So I did Popsicles.

Long story short.  I ended up dehydrated and going into the emergency room on Thursday.  They kept me overnight and I was able to go home the next morning feeling tons better.  The next several days my energy level increased and so did my appetite.

This week has been great.  Other than getting tired often I have felt mostly normal.  I was told to expect to have my hair start falling out around day fourteen after the chemo.  I am now on day 11 and every little tingle on my head makes me aware of what is to come very soon.  My youngest, Brianna is pretty excited to be able to help cut all my hair off when it is time.  I'm glad someone will get some joy out of it.  I have to keep telling myself it is only hair and it will grow back.

One side effect that is becoming more and more distressing to me is that food does not taste the same.  I will crave something that I know I like only to have it, finding it doesn't taste good.  Everything is bland.  It's like there is wax over my tongue.  I have found that frozen yogurt is the exception.  I still love that.

I want everyone to know how grateful both my husband and I are to all of you.  The continued acts of service and the continued prayers are indeed felt.  I have found myself overwhelmed by the love I have felt from so many.  I have been contemplating how we are our Saviors hands.  We are the angles he sends to answer our prayers.  Because of the love you so willingly give I can feel my Savior's love for me.  Thank you.