Feeling the effects a little.........

Hey everyone. It is Wednesday afternoon, and I am at my townhouse again. I have an appointment at 5pm to see about getting measured, fitted, etc. for a wig. It has been five days since my first chemo treatment. I was told to expect my hair to start coming out around day ten to fourteen. At this particular salon, you go before your hair comes out so they can see what color it is and how you wear it. Then they order a wig and cut and style it to match. I have really been dreading losing my hair, and if this makes me feel more confident and comfortable, I'm all for it.

I started feeling some side effects from the chemo yesterday evening. Up until that time, a little fatigue was all that I had experienced. Some time late yesterday afternoon, I started running a low grade temperature, I got extremely "wiped out" feeling, and I had several bouts of diarrhea. Nothing too bad, but it sure drained me. I rested last night like I had been suckerin' tobacco all day. Today, I have felt much better, and have been able to eat pretty much what I wanted. I think I'm going to have to give up Mountain Dew though; it already tastes different, and just seems to make my stomach churn when I drink it. I've switched over to water and am tolerating that much better.

So, that's all for now. Overall, I am doing very well. I'm still staying at Mama and Daddy's due to not being able to rest in a bed. That doesn't bother me too much. I'm just as content there as anywhere. Mama's still tucking me in at night. : ) We're having a lot of company due to our family reunion being this coming Saturday. Some family members came in last weekend, so we've had a good time visiting this week. I don't have another appointment until the 12th, I think. I will see the oncologist then and have some bloodwork done. We know that the chemo should pretty much wipe out my immune system, so every Monday after chemo, I will be receiving a shot to boost my immune system. Being this was my first chemo treatment, she wants to see how my labs are going to be affected. If I'm okay, my labwork will be done the morning of chemo from now on. She said she just didn't want any surprises.

That reminds me though: even though I will be receiving injections to boost my white cell count, my level will still be lower than normal. That means that I will be susceptible to things that I could normally fight off. Please refrain from visiting me, hugging me, or preparing food for me if you think you are getting sick or if you have been around anybody that is. That will help me lower my risk of acquiring something that my immune system cannot fight off.

As always, I thank you, and my family thanks you, for everything. I am continually amazed at how much support we are receiving. I've never had children, so I can't speak as a parent; but I know that nothing means more to me right now than the love and support you are giving to my parents. I thank you for that. It means more than you'll ever know.

Take care,
Cindy