Chemo - Round 4

Friday June 1, 2012

This morning I had my 4^th round of chemo. Ashley went with me. I spoke with the doctor about how I’m doing and the recent side effects that have developed since my last round of chemo. 

Things like: lack of taste when I eat. I don’t have a metallic taste like a lot of chemo patients experience, but I simply have a very dull sense of taste. I mostly just taste texture and hot or cold. For example, a month ago I went to eat my favorite cobb salad from Mimi’s Café. I had ranch dressing. The salad tasted terrible because there was no flavor at all. Yesterday I went to lunch with my girls and I had the cobb salad again. This time I ordered the Bleu Cheese dressing, knowing that it has a sharp, strong flavor. The salad was delicious because it tasted like it was Ranch Dressing. Strange isn’t it! As a result, I’ve gained some weight, which I don’t like at all. I think I’m eating more than normal, hoping that at some point I’ll be able to 'taste' what I’m eating, but it just hasn't happened. I’m trying to just eat until I’m full and then stop. At least the doctor seems to be happy that I’m gaining weight and not losing too much. Oh well.

I’ve developed neuropathy in my hands AND feet now. My hands are extremely sensitive to hot and cold and I have a terrible time in the kitchen trying to open zip lock bags and tight lids on bottles and jars. My feet are tender in my heels, side of my toes, and balls of my feet. I find that wearing good cushioned shoes and a little extra Tylenol help me deal with it.

I don’t sleep very well. I can fall asleep until about 4 or 5 am and then I’m up and have a very difficult time falling back asleep. I usually get up and try to do a few things until I get tired again and then try to sleep once more. I take my daily naps. The doctor said to just sleep when I can and try to work through it.

I am scheduled for another CT scan of my chest June 27^th, just before round 5 of chemo on June 28^th. The doctor says that depending on the results of that scan, we will be able to determine if I will be able to finish out with 6 rounds of chemo or if I might need to do 8 rounds. It depends on how my body is responding to the chemo and my rest.

I love the Lord. I am so grateful for His tender mercies in my life and the love and support I feel from so many people. I am still praying for a miracle in my life. I want to finish up my treatment in 6 rounds of chemo. I know it’s in the Lord’s hands, but I must keep the faith and do my part to get better.