Side Effects Kinda Stink

Ughhh - the side effects of treatment kinda stink.

Fatigue - I've never felt this exhausted, and yet unable to sleep in my entire life.

Headache - All the time, unrelenting.  (I hope this means that the drugs are working on the brain tumors)

Bloody Nose - I have a constantly seeping bloody nose - its kinda gross.

Rash - Its prickly and itchy with small red spots.  Its on my torso from my armpits to my hips.  It's been going for 6 days now - and it looks like it's finally easing up.  I've been taking allergy medication and applying steroid cream.  I'm curious to find out if this will happen every chemo cycle or if this is just a one time thing.  Gosh, I'm hoping for the latter.

Hair Loss - I have spotty hair loss from the radiation.  It came out over a 10 day period in big chunks.  I haven't lost any hair from the chemo treatment yet.  When you read up on the type I am taking - it says that some people do - and some don't loose their hair.  Still waiting on that one - but I sure hope I'm in the don't category.  In the meantime - I'm still trying to figure out this head-scarf thing.  I'm not good at "fixing hair" - and I'm kind of picky too  - which is the worst combination ever.

Joint/Body Aches - It happens from time to time.  CBD ointment to the rescue, along with Tylenol -   They work well together.

I'm thankful that I haven't been too nauseous.  They infuse an anti nausea medication first, before the chemo drugs - and then I have to take anti-nausea meds for the first 4 days.

Sense of Taste - my tongue constantly feels like I've licked sandpaper and tastes metallic.  It's kind of gross.  I've discovered that anything acidic tastes bitter - so anything with vinegar - like a salad dressing or anything citrus - like lemon or orange flavored things.  They just taste disgusting.  - and these were favorites of my previously.  Pineapple also tastes gross - but raspberries seem okay.    I'm figuring it out on a case by case basis.  In general, I like fruit, but now, I'm not sure what to eat. 

The IV Chemo is on an every 3 week cycle.  I take the immunotherapy/chemo drugs daily.  So - the IV cycle starts again May 14.  

My Weekend in Chicago

We met up with our friends Bert and Danielle in Chicago for the weekend. 

We celebrated Paul's 60th Birthday and spent time at the Art Institute of Chicago and also did a walking tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Oak Park.  Both days were really fun.  Good friends.  Good food.  Good times.

Happy 60th, Paul

Danielle, Me, Paul and Bert - in front of the Chagall windows at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Yes - it's a Renoir - with a bowl of yarn!  I didn't see any others with yarn!

In addition to the Oak Park walk, we ended up at the Robie House too.  - just as it started raining - and too late to get a tour.  Maybe we'll get back to this one some other time.