Four more days of radiation, and it can’t be over soon enough.
New side effects: nosebleeds and fever. The fever is low-grade, probably just my stupid human suit being stupid, as it is wont to do when it gets stressed. The nosebleeds are not unexpected but are getting worse. The doctor said we pretty much have to ride them out; they’ll pass once we stop barraging my nasopharynx and sinus regions with radiation and my body gets a chance to heal.
Also getting weaker–dizzy and lightheaded more often than not when I stand up. Think that’s the fatigue hitting harder. Mentioned it to my radiation oncologist last week, and he didn’t think we needed to do labwork to check whether I was anemic, as radiation shouldn’t be hitting my counts like that. But fatigue, yeah, fatigue we has it.
Food continues to be a trial. My mouth and throat hurt enough that I’m taking Percocet now to get me by. Can’t taste anything, of course. Most of my meals are liquid these days–protein shakes and nutritional supplements, sometimes mixed with ice cream to boost the calories. Also some rice porridge with an egg and blended vegetables stirred in. I can still handle a bit of fresh fruit, but anything bread or pasta-related is too dry for me to swallow.
Four more days. Then I can start healing…and getting ready to go into the hospital for my stem cell transplant.
I do hope you’re keeping your weight up, loss of taste notwithstanding. I’m no doctor, but I’m sure that’s important nonetheless.
Thanks, sweetie. I think I am. I hadn’t lost any more weight at my last vitals check, and I’ve been trying to up my calorie intake, even if it’s all liquid.
Rooting for you. Rooting for you so hard!
*hugs*
So sorry this is so difficult. We’re praying and rooting for you! Stem cell transplant for the win!!!!’
*more hugs*
Hi Eugie,
We’ve never met, but I’m part of the Sci-fi/fantasy crowd and keep updated on your journey through facebook. Just know that you’ve really been on my mind this summer and I’m rooting for you. I so hope everything begins healing soon. You are such a warrior!
Thanks so much for your kind words and support. They’re very appreciated. 🙂
Rooting for you, Eugie, and sending positive vibes. *hugs*
Thanks, sweetie. *huggins*
Lots of rooting for you every day, and hoping and longing for this to be over and successful – you are a warrior, indeed, and I admire you so much. *hugs hugs hugs*
*hugs hugs hugs back*
As my mother would say, it’s always darkest before dawn.
Wishing you a big win on the stem cell transplant.
Thanks, David!
Still thinking about you and checking here every day, hoping you’re doing as well as can be. If my math is right, perhaps today is the last of the radiation treatments. I hope so, and I hope you can now have rest and start to heal from them. *more hugs* *oh heck they’re free here are some more hugs hugs hugs*
Thanks, sweetie. Actually yesterday was my last radiation treatment. Yay! 🙂 Now to get some healing in before I have to go in for my stem cell transplant. *huggins*