Aversion to cold - this was most prominent on Day 1 and has greatly subsided, which is supposed to be the case. The duration of this side effect will increase with each Oxi session. This will be quite annoying because it will prevent me from doing some fairly minor things like:
- Washing my hands in a public restroom if there is no hot water
- Using hand sanitizer (alcohol is cooling)
- Preparing foods that have been in the fridge/freezer
- Drinking/eating cold and even cool liquids
I don't have the seasons on my side since winter is coming and that should really suck. Breathing cold air will become painful, and I'll need to bundle up just to walk those 4 blocks to work. And I'll probably have to change my work wardrobe to include things like boots, tights, leggings, and leg warmers. Just another excuse to go shopping!
Neuropathy (loss of feeling) in the hands/feet - I had minor tingling occasionally during the first 24 hours. Again, the duration of this side effect will increase with each Oxi session.
Nausea - ick. I'm not a fan of taking pills but boy did that change once I started feeling nauseous. Let me try to explain so you can empathize. You know when you feel sick and nauseous and you think to yourself "Maybe if I just puke, I'll feel better"? Well, even if I puke, I won't feel any different. And, I'm probably going to feel like this for a while. That sucks, doesn't it? But, things are getting better. Drinking a lot of water really helps (isn't that cool?). And eating sometimes helps too - especially sweets (yay Halloween candy - Candy Corns are my favorite). I'm taking Zofran and I haven't needed the Compazine yet.
Fatigue - wow, I had no idea you could be so tired...ALL THE TIME. But it's weird because it's not a fatigue that is preventing me from doing things. It's just slowing me down. If I rally, I can still "do it". I just need a little extra motivation...and naps :) I took a great two hour nap yesterday after having brunch with friends. I love Sunday naps. I need help reminding me to take it easy because I so used to having energy and wanting to go-go-go. So please help remind me to slow down.
Loss of Appetite - I think my taste buds are dying/changing. I have a funny taste in my mouth that just won't go away. The first bite of food makes my jaw hurt - like when you eat a watermelon jolly rancher. My stomach still knows I'm hungry, so that helps "remind me" to eat when I don't feel like it. But I definitely still have an appetite. When I smell food, I want to eat it. And I still have cravings, although they're not very healthy. I had a burger and tater tots on Saturday, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about those tater tots! My mom and I were making a grocery list and I told her how I'm craving carbs but I wanted to get something healthier than tater tots. After not coming up with a suggestion that seemed to make me happy, she looked at me and said "Do you want me to buy you tater tots, honey?" No sweeter words were ever uttered :) Boy do I love my MoMMa.
Colon Issues - yes, constipation. The side effect of the nausea meds is constipation. And a side effect of the Xeloda is diarrhea. Why these things can't cancel each other out, who knows. I only have slight issues with the former, so we'll see what happens in the coming days.
I took a good walk with my mom today - 45 minutes in the beautiful sunshine (damn it was hot!). I was so amazed at how much energy that gave me. There was a period after the walk that I felt normal, and even 5 hours later I still feel really good. I need to take more walks!
I've decided to work from home this week while my mom is here. I can accomplish everything that I need to do from home, and it's great to have my mom around to feed me. I sound like an infant saying that - I need help feeding myself - but I think I really do. When I'm hungry, I'm hungry and I don't have the energy to make myself food. I need it now! And when I'm working, I don't have the time to make my food. I need my nourishment, and I right now I need my mommy.
Ok, it's debate time - and Go Bears!
Love to hear from you on how you are doing! If you have folks asking what you need, its never a bad idea to ask for healthy meals. Pull them out of the freezer and warm them up. Love and Thinking of you!
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