For this phase of my treatment, I'm taking five days of Temozolomide Chemotherapy every 28 days. My first cycle, I took from August 5-9th, and my second cycle was September 6-11th. It's a really bad time, after the first cycle I was puking for 9 days. When I had my appointment to start my second cycle my doctor told me that I shouldn't be nauseous at all, and she gave me some anti-nausea medication that has been working quite well for the second cycle nausea, but I still don't feel great. At least I haven't puked yet.
The treatment is making it hard to do day-to-day tasks, and I haven't worked out since the first cycle because moving too fast makes me sick but I'm hoping to get back on the workout horse soon.
My next MRI is on September 19th, and I'll hear back about how things are looking at the appointment to start my third cycle sometime around the end of September. Even though I'm having a really bad time with the chemotherapy, I am optimistic that the treatment is working well and I'll make a good recovery.
Today I had an appointment with an ophthalmologist who told me that if my double vision doesn't get better there is a surgery they can do to correct it, so if the physio that I do doesn't work and prism glasses don't work, there's still hope that one day my vision can go back to normal. Despite my fears of having surgery, it comes as a relief to know that one day things could return to normal!
In the meantime, I'm just frustrated because the chemo treatment is knocking me out for half of every month, and for a reason I can't explain the chemo treatment also makes my neurological symptoms worse. It's almost as if Chad is fighting back and causing as many problems as he can on the way out. I've noticed that during the treatment and shortly after even my fine motor skills are affected and it's frustrating.
Anyway, I'm sorry that this blog post is mostly me complaining. Despite feeling like crap and wanting to ask sarcastic rhetorical questions like "who invented chemotherapy??" I know that I'm in good hands and that I'm getting important, life-saving treatment, and that I could have it much, much worse.
Get vaccinated, wear a mask, and stay safe,
Chelsea
I’m really sorry that you’ve had so much trouble with the therapy recently. It must be so hard to be nauseated for such a long time. This blog should (hopefully) be a bit therapeutic for you as you write out your thoughts - If those thoughts are sometimes negative, that’s ok - you are going through a super-challenging time! I certainly don’t consider it complaining at all!! You’re being real, and you really have been so strong all along. I’m praying for some positive news on the 19th! Take care 😊
Remember you are one of the survivors!! No human ever made it through a challenge without hard work and perseverance...complain all you want!! You don't have to feel positive 100% of the time...it's impossible :)
You got this Chelsea!. ❤!
I certainly don't consider your post as complaining. You are letting us know how you are doing, as you said you would. I like your sarcastic, rhetorical questions. Go ahead, ask away. I am glad you have some solutions to your chemo, vision and neuro issues. It will happen, you will reach the end and you will do it with dignity and strength, and you will kick Chad to the curb (or the garbage bin), where he belongs!