Health Diaries > Colon Cancer > Llama Farming with Colon Cancer

September 3, 2005

Side Effects of Chemotherapy

"What a difference a day makes, twenty-four little hours." That's the first line of song you need to be old to know, but that's what happened to me. I was going to write the second post last Sunday, but decided to wait one more day for the 5 day anti-nausea medicine to wear off. That was the first step of the treatment. If I had written this Sunday I would have said the treatment was great, sit in an over-sized recliner all day, watch some TV, take some naps and walk away feeling great. Unfortunately, on Monday things went downhill in a big way, all the bad things you hear about chemotherapy just came true, nausea, diarrhea, no appetite, no taste. I've had only bites to eat all week, this is Saturday, some Ensure, and two trips back to the Oncology clinic for fluid IVs. I have two prescriptions for nausea and diarrhea and seem to have them under control, but still no appetite. I dream of food and eating and get up thinking I can, but can't. Needless to say I've lost another 5 pounds, down to a weight I haven't seen since Junior High, weak and really kind of mad, but I don't know who to be mad at. I can't imagine being ready for another treatment in 5 days. The doctor did say he may have to lower the dosage. I think so!!
Of course, everyone is sympathic and tells you it's important to stay positive. Easier to say than do. I worry about my animals. It seems my fill in keeper has gotten tired of daily chores and there are days they don't get their feed supplement. I have to force myself to do it, which I really need to do for myself too, to get my rear end out of the house and get some exercise. I try to not even think of what all this is costing. Without any chemo bills, I have statements over $56,000. Guess I'll find out how good Medicare is. Good example of over-priced medicine yesterday. The anti-nausea pills cost $35 per pill. How bad would that be without insurance?
Well, enough of this negative stuff. Let me end this post by saying I still have hope that somehow we'll turn the corner and things will get better. Next time I want to exlain the whole treatment process which has a couple of different twists.

Posted by Robert on September 3, 2005 10:58 AM | DIGG | del.icio.us | furl