Side Effects

The docs and nurses talked about side effects. They said, “Stay hydrated, eat healthy foods, and follow your bodies instructions.” What they should also say is “prepare to be unprepared.” Linda has had a tough couple of days: Tired of water; tired of the food; tired of being inside; tired of being tired. The few days after the first chemo were tough, but manageable. After the second round, there was some optimism (“hey, I can deal with this – just keep your eyes on the prize.”). The optimism, the courage, and the vigor get replaced with “damn, this is hard.” In a way it’s like winter. You don’t mind the cold, ice, and snow up to the holidays, but after that it’s just a long bleak stretch to spring.

Tolerance.

The shot she gets after each chemo treatment is a blessing and a curse…it boosts her immune system but gives her flu-like symptoms (aches, fatigue). Happy and talkative are not among the side effects.

In these last few days she has been taking two-a-day naps. Nighttime sleep is rarely uninterrupted. During the day she takes her laps around the house…up the stairs, down the stairs, around the dining room, kitchen, living room, up the stairs again. She says it is good exercise, but I think she’s looking for her glasses.

Tonight we had a very nice dinner together. She ate well and we talked…a pleasant side effect of pasta with homemade sauce.