Excuse me, I didn't order these side dishes with my entree
You ever watch one of those commercials for medicine on tv (pick one), and at the end the person doing the voice over lists all of the potential side effects of the medicine? Yeah, and it only happens to a very small percentage of people.. Yeah, I’m one of those people in the small percentage.
Ok, maybe I am exaggerating (a little bit) but I swear .. this last treatment is trying me. Got your girl counting the side effects. Stuff that I haven’t had in 5 months of chemo! And they are all random. For example:
Dry/Jumpy eyes - What the hell? I have never even heard of this being a side effect. I had to go to the chemo manual. Like, Siri is bug eye a potential side effect of Taxol treatment?!?!?! Why yes, surely it is. Who knew? And it’s weird because it’s only one eye… the left one. Well, the dryness is both eyes, but the left eye is the only one that wants to dance. And it doesn’t happen all the time. Super weird!
Hip pain - I feel like an older woman in a younger woman’s body. (No offense to my more seasoned women out there.) The first time I heard myself say “My hip hurts”. I couldn’t believe it. It’s not like I injured it. And I know what you are thinking, if you sit yourself down somewhere then maybe your hip wouldn’t hurt. WRONG! This is not from exercise. I haven’t been walking much this treatment. It’s sporadic. It sets in one day, and then it subsides. Weirdest thing ever. I mean, seriously. Your girl was in here about to throw the whole sofa away! I was this close (imagine my thumb and pointer finger pressed together with no space between) to purchasing a new sofa to online. The one that we have is deep seating and super soft, and I just swore that it was causing my pain. Well, low and behold .. I hadn’t even been on the couch all day yesterday and my hip was on fire last night.. 🤨
Restlessness - Now this isn’t the same as steroid induced insomnia. This is good ole, just can’t stop tossing and turning can’t get a good night’s sleep restlessness. I know I get on Theo’s last nerve, Kicking covers, moving all over the bed, switching pillows, changing positions, changing from bed to sofa .. Yeah, all of that. Well, LT suggested I sleep with a weighted blanket and essential oil diffuser. #lifechanger .. I mean, it’s not perfect but it’s soooo much better. Thanks LT 😉
Hot flashes - If you are experiencing the change, and are going through this on a regular basis, God bless you! I just can’t.. I will be sitting down watching tv, reading a book, on my phone .. whatever and my whole body will feel like it’s on fire. And the worst thing is .. there is nothing that you can do about it. Fans, AC, nada.. I just wanna run outside and jump in the pool. 🥵
Like I said, these are known side effects, so no need to call the CDC but it’s just funny (well maybe not funny) that I haven’t had any of these until now. It’s like the universe said, “Oh sis, you’re almost done.. Hold on a sec, let me throw a little more seasoning in your pot. A little jumpy eye, throw in some hip pain, drain out some winks, and add a little fire.. There, you’re all good now. Carry on..”
And just as I close this entry, sweet Meagan at the Infusion Center calls me to confirm Monday’s appointment to start the fun all over again.. Thanks Meagan! Whoosah! 🙄🤣
