Realizing that what I experience is important, I am sharing all the symptoms, side-effects, and frankly just physical feelings that I have had during this process. I have shared some ideas on the blog about estrogen receptors and because I am no longer treated inappropriately with that idea, I am going to continue to share and be open about my experiences. Not only will it be a possibility to help myself, but perhaps keeping track of these things will help others as well!
I will mention that I'm very in tune to my body - not sure if this is from so many years of ballet, but I notice very small changes as well as big ones!
Feelings during Pregnancy:
Noticed first jaw pain during lunch - mouth didn't want to open easily
Anemic
Right side of stomach larger than left
Diagnosed with fibroid at week 20 (no CAT or MRI, but ultrasound)
Very, very tired
Months of morning sickness - about 5
Feelings before Diagnosis but after delivery:
Major pain in lower back and face
Unable to sleep due to pain - had to sleep on right side of body to avoid massive facial pain
Round 1 of Chemotherapy Side-Effects:
Fatigue (no thrush, no nausea, good white blood cell count, decent hemoglobin values)
Hair Loss - very slow
Pain not a huge issue - few doses of Percocet
Lost some muscle mass especially in areas with tumors
Upper back pain occasionally - turns out to be problem with T6
5 days of chemo resulted in diarrhea
Didn't eat much during the 5 days of chemo
Not much weight loss except for during the 5 days of chemo - just a few pounds
Body hated EMEND. Had a hard time breathing and raised blood pressure. Docs continued to give it to me, but slowed down the IV. Body really didn't like this drug PERIOD!
Abdomen got bigger and bigger and bigger - could not roll on the belly
Discomfort near ribs on right side - massive pain at times - took Percocet. Thought it was because of Levaquin so Doc prescribed Cipro.
Round 2 of Chemotherapy Side-Effects:
Chemo was even easier. Less fatigue. Less side-effects.
5 days of chemo resulted in diarrhea
Didn't eat much during the 5 days of chemo - diarrhea normally during this treatment
Had some great hemoglobin values again
Had beautiful nail growth and color
Still had hair
Discomfort near ribs on right side - massive pain at times. Pain was occurring without Levaquin now.
Continued to have great blood values
Weird stomach feeling - felt like washing laundry on washboard - know that there was fluid in there from CAT scan on October 5th.
Back T6 Radiation Experience & Side-Effects:
Weird stomach feeling - felt like washing laundry on washboard
Feelings diminished and abdomen shrank - can see areas of the body that I couldn't see before. Can also move more on the belly for sleeping.
Had a week without stomach feelings - washboard sensation is back again. It spread really quick, but now I have control over the feelings. If I contract my abdominal muscles the sensation moves down the abdomen. The feelings are mostly near the ribs to the belly button until contraction occurs.
Lots of energy during T6 treatment. Felt really good and had very little fatigue. Was this occurring because I needed to take Percocet before treatments?
Have been able to lay down on the left side at times
Cheekbone Radiation Experience & Side-Effects:
Handful of times felt the world spinning during treatment - not a fun experience
Had more fatigue than T6
Lost hearing on left ear near the end of treatment
Can't taste very many things
Dealing with more pain than from the last few months in the face - lot of nerve issues
Severe nerve issues - sometimes has major pain as well
Nerve issues seem more apparent when standing up
Percocet seems to help issues
Eye is a problem - blurry
Neck is sore at times
Have been able to lay down on the left side at times
Lots of nose blowing - time of year or from radiation?
Lots of blood and scabs on left nostril - sometimes looks like rather large 'tissue' with blood around it that comes out of the nose - not looking like typical dried mucus
Current Experiences (2 weeks after radiation finished):
Pain has become an issue again. Sacrum and cheekbone are the big issues. Right foot is in pain occasionally, but not sure why
Had to take Percocet 3x in one day, which I only did when I had my biopsy. Resulted in severe constipation. Had strange symptoms as a result - extraordinary pain vaginally. Pain was so bad I was planning on a hospital visit. Senokot was taken to help the constipation - led to massive diarrhea Pain on lower right side of abdomen as well
Diarrhea continuing days after Senokot - took 1/2 tab of dexamethasone to help, but it didn't work
Abdominal movements - if they feel close to ribs then I get indigestion. Once I 'move' them the indigestion disappears.
Seems as though the movements also affect the T6 position and add pain to that area
Hair growing fast and super soft
Certain body parts look better - breasts are round and full again. Muscles look fuller as well.
