Most of us, if we’re old enough, have heard all sorts of horror stories about chemotherapy. You’re terribly sick all the time, all your hair falls out, it generally puts you through the wringer. I heard all those tales, so I wasn’t looking forward to undergoing chemotherapy.
Well, I’ve been on it for two weeks and have pretty much skated over and past the scary side effects. I’ve gotta believe they’ve gotten a lot better at it over the years. Medications are available to deal with side effects, but so far I haven’t needed any. My hip hurts all the time, and I can’t get a good night’s sleep because of bladder stones; but those afflictions have little or nothing to do with the chemo.
But I do have some problems with it. I’m clumsy: bump into things, trip over things, drop things, etc. And I forget stuff that I ought to remember. I am assured that these effects are temporary and will gradually go away when the chemo stops.
And I have a lot of fatigue. Can’t start a new novel, under the circumstances. I need more rest during the day. Everybody says so, and I guess I’d better take their advice.
So it’s so far, so good: so the doctors tell me. And I appreciate your prayers on my behalf. Thank you.
Mousekin – Thanks for the update. You have a lot to deal with. No wonder you are weary. Everything has sort of hit you all at once.
Rest as much as you can. No apologies necessary. Prayers continue and we are glad the one tumor is shrinking.
Everybody says “More rest!” I guess I’d better take that advice. Thank you, Mousekin.
There are different kinds of chemo – glad your version is not as harsh as some. Brain fog is no fun. I can really see its effect on me when I type – whoa do I ever misspell easy words and create typos. Sometimes I think I am losing my mine (see what I mean 🙂 ).
The lapses are frustrating!
Well, I have all the symptoms you mention, and more. Very loud ear noise, interfering with my hearing, losing hair, vision problems, …and on and on. So, obviously, we all need prayer and I am praying for all of you, and am very grateful for your prayers, too. Hang in there.
I sometimes wonder if our little group has been targeted by some evil entity.
That is certainly a possibility. Anyone who desires to serve the Lord is not popular in these days, to say the least.
They’ve gotten much better at chemotherapy than was possible years ago. You are fortunate that things are going relatively well. Stick it out, you’ll get through the entire course.
In one way, when we go through these painful times, we truly understand the grief and pain others go through. These things produce fruit, the fruit of empathy for others, understanding and compassion grows from these hard painful times and trials.
When I write, I understand, what some of you on this blog are going through, I really do. Not everything, of course, but some of the pain and other events, I have experienced.
My prayers go out to those who have asked for prayer.
One of my favorite two lines from all the hymns I know, is from “Praise to the Lord.” The last two lines in the third verse says:
“Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love he befriends you.”
God has befriended us, wow, what a wonderful God He truly is!
In fact, let me make “Praise to the Lord” a request.
That I can do, Mike.