Saturday, September 10, 2016

Side effects from my chemotherapy

I still don't really understand this whole process.
Here is what I know:
I must see a hearing doctor to document my hearing loss during this process. Chemo causes permanent hearing loss, and permanent ringing of your ears.

I told my doctor, I better not have to have hearing aids at age 40! And that's not a joke.
As of right now, all sounds irritate me.  It's like everything is heightened and annoying. Dogs barking, my toddler whining or temper tantrums are hard to deal with. I want to cover my ears and hide under the covers.
My husband and I have tickets to the Maroon 5 concert next month and I am sure we won't be going unless I'm wearing shooting range hearing protection.

It also causes permanent damage to your fingers and toes.  Peripheral neuropathy is what it's called and it is permanent nerve damage.
I am already healing fom nerve damage from surgery. When they took my lobe out they had to cut a large nerve which causes numbness and sharp pains on my ribs about the size of my hand. It has gotten better over the 7 weeks post op and I am thankful I don't have the sharp pains anymore.

Memory loss and lack of concentration.  This must be why I can't think, and my brain hurts. It's like a permanent migraine and I constantly squint. This is my biggest problem. I am always the person on top of things, focused, running a business, running the household, and I can't be that person right now. This is hard for me.

Fatigue and appetite loss is big. As you can see from my posts I am writing about what I can get into my belly, And it's not much. Which doesn't help the energy level.
I'm exhausted.

It also causes infertility .  My husband and I were trying for a number 2 baby and miscarried back in Jan 2016 before any of these health issues started. It is a blessing it happened but has devastated us to know we may never have anymore children due to chemotherapy.  Everyone's therapy is different blends based on their cancer type, and the cisplatin I am taking will do this.  All we can hope for is for is it won't throw me into menapause at age 36!
We have hope that acupuncture after this journey is over will allow us to get pregnant again so our child will have a sibling.
All I can pray for is to keep periods! Such a funny thing to pray for but that will keep my body regular.

Mind over body is the key.

I just want my old life back.

1 comment:

  1. You are strong. You are healing. You are wonderful. You will survive! We love you Shellie! #ShellieStrong

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