Treatment 4

This time it was time for new chemo drugs. The first three rounds were significantly more intense in their side effects, and very stressful for that reason. The last three treatments are in many ways “lighter”, but I have been significantly more tired – and the fatigue is very compressed for about seven to ten days. After that it eases, which, incidentally, is very clearly noticeable by the fact that (for me) feels like a cold draft across the back of the head and neck.

Week 1

Back pull in the toes (during treatment)
Swelling during treatment (because of the cortisone?)
Excessive belching during the afternoon/evening)
The signals from the brain to the mouth - difficult to shape the mouth into the words I want to say, during conversation (Thursday night)
Sometimes raspy voice (Thursday night)
Constipation (however, started earlier in the day)
Generally frozen (Saturday and onwards – freezes to and from indoors in 18 – 19 grader)
Muscle fatigue/muscle weakness on the front of the thighs (noticeable in the stairs to the third floor, as well as when I get up from sitting)
Bad breath on a walk with the dog and up the stairs to the third floor (continues into this week 2)
Slightly shaky/trembling in the whole body - most noticeable in arms, hands and legs
General reluctance to eat (Saturday – Tuesday)
Mild nausea (don't want/need to vomit - Sunday)
Extremely unmotivated and tired (Saturday – Sunday)
Weak and trembling in the calves (Monday)
Extremely tired (Monday) - sleeps almost all day
Continued reluctance to eat (Monday) - eats, but preferably not
Big swelling in the side (like a limpa!) in case of chest surgery (like after surgery) (Tuesday)
Reduced vision (Tuesday)

Week 2

Muscle weakness in forearms and hands - trembling, hard to hold on to things (copper, dog leash etc) under tors – Saturday
Fumbled with words - the mouth stops working suddenly without warning for a few seconds, to then work again (Thursday – Saturday)
Plitor in the face
Extremely good mood, and therefore extremely difficult to fall asleep (Thursday Friday)
Bad skin on dog walks (short ones)
Weak phlegm cough (Saturday)
The stomach works variably – back and forth between hard and loose
Extremely unfocused (Wednesday)

Week 3

Would like to close my eyes, even though I'm not tired - dry eyes? (Saturday/Sunday)
Overall very tired/fall asleep easily in the middle of the day
Tops in the right ear make it rustle like cellophane

GENERALLY

The question about constipation should be taken up as a warning when visiting a doctor before the fourth treatment, and preventive medicine should be prescribed even then. Have spent several days trying to get my stomach in order, which has been extremely stressful. Had to buy home Microlax which helped with the biggest clog.

The fatigue comes and goes. It is in many ways a lighter fatigue than during the previous treatments, but is more permanent. I don't come out of it the same way as before. But on the whole, most side effects are less intense.

Nails and hands - during the first three treatments, nails and hands have been in better condition than during my entire adult life. Normally, my hands are extremely dry in winter, but this year I have been very nice in both skin and nails. In that way, that part of the treatment has been very good for me. But now after the fourth treatment, two nails have come off (no disaster at all, but it has happened) and a previously existing and recurring eczema flared up for about a day on the left hand.

After each treatment, I have experienced myself periodically swollen. For some time my face is swollen, but also in hands (especially right), forearms, stomach and legs - sometimes noticeable even in my lymphedema (the lower legs). There are always different types of swelling – anything from distended like a drum (magen) to sloppy, severe swelling, especially in the stomach.