6-7 Feb 2021

Saturday, 6 Feb 2021

Finished day #1 of infusion therapy #1 yesterday and day 2-3 using a pump full of fluorouracil.  Only got up twice overnight for bathroom visit.  Still navigating the wear of this pump and associated coils and lines connected between the pump and chest port.  

Because of oxaliplatin, anything cold triggers body reactions (throat swelling, chest and lung pains, etc.).  Wearing gloves to pull stuff out of fridge is a habit change.  

Managed to walk 2 miles today since much literature suggest doing everything one can to keep active and remain on normal schedule.  It was a bit chilly (40s), so bundled up due to the oxaliplatin. Even wore a cycling cap under my hat.  Will shoot for a trainer ride once this pump is removed (a hot shower would be nice too).  

Took a small nap after a bowl of oatmeal as my body told me to recharge. Yes, fatigue is beginning to creep in.  Trying my best to overcome. 

By 1500 today, right fingers were beginning to numb.  Wearing cycling gloves to keep warm and hopefully mitigate any further degradation.  Still constipated that began this morning.  

Sunday, 7 Feb 2021

Tough night, bad day. Constipation owned me.  Pain is almost unbearable. Took Dulcolax at around 0630 to hopefully help.  By 1300, definitely moving in the right direction.  

Around 1400, it was time to remove the pump.  I was a bit apprehensive, but Dawn did it by the directions.  So far, no issues except I have this numbness on my head and face (fingers too). I also seem really agitated and have no clue why.  So glad to not be carrying a pump around and looking forward to a nice shower.   

Lessons learned/observed from first completed treatment.  Got to get my head on straight!  Maybe now that I've been through the entire process, perhaps I can relax and focus on the side-effects.  

I was never in pain until the constipation came up.  A couple of chemo drugs do cause constipation, so need to time things to appropriately mitigate.   

A second major area is comfort with portable machine, especially during sleep.  

Third, my diet!  Some foods now make me sick.  I realize I need to maintain during treatment since metabolism is high, but many foods have a bad taste or make me nauseous.  

This whole experience has me thinking very deeply wrt cancer treatments. How do people endure these interventions?  What happens if chemo is not successful?  How much pain and discomfort can my body tolerate? How do I achieve mind over body? I cried earlier as these thoughts went to the forefront.  Mortality is ever present.