This past round of chemotherapy marked the halfway point of my treatments. 
The oncologist, Dr. Bernard, said that I would have three more treatments and then see him again. Then, I will have another treatment on the day that I see him again, followed by two more chemotherapy infusions, ending in November. On the minus side, Dr. Bernard cautioned me that often the last three rounds of chemotherapy are the worst for colon cancer patients. (This is due to the particular chemotherapy administered to those with colon cancer.) He seemed to think I was doing well overall, though. He did, however, write me a prescription to increase my Atenolol as my blood pressure has been an issue with all of the chemotherapy-related swelling and weight gain. I’ve been taking the increased dose and seem to be doing better. On the plus side (pardon the pun), I had lost some more weight. It is a slow process. That, however, is the way the nutritionist wants it.
In regards to side effects, I have increased neuropathy. In fact, I only get three or four days of relative relief now before receiving my chemotherapy again. Dr. Bernard said that we could do something to alleviate that. He told me that I could have infusions of calcium added to my regimen to help counteract the platinum’s tendency to bind with my nerves. The only problem with this solution is that it would add two hours to the time I would have to spend “in the chair.” I would get calcium for an hour before the Oxaliplatin and after the Oxaliplatin. I don’t think that I will do this unless things get so bad that I have no respite from the neuropathy. We shall see.
Yes, I’m still fatigued and falling asleep at the most awkward times and in the most awkward positions. As I’ve said previously, when this fatigue hits, it hits. I’m also starting to notice what I’ve heard others jokingly term, “chemobrain.” Essentially, it is mental fatigue. You try to concentrate, but you have difficulty. You just don’t feel like thinking as that can also be a drain on you. I laugh at some of the things that I type now as I write because of this peculiar malady. I make grammatical errors that I normally wouldn’t make and also revert to my Southern speech-pattern roots. I think that some of you might believe that the way I express myself is “put on,” since I tend to use multisyllabic words words when perhaps a simpler word would do. This, however, is not true. Through years of reading and writing, I have actually expanded my vocabulary to the point that I use all of these “highfalutin” words naturally. Thus, it is somewhat of a horror when I perceive myself as sounding like some slack-jawed yokel. I apologize if I you think that sounds conceited. It is just that my vocabulary is about all I have going for me. 
It is, therefore, that to which I tenaciously cling.
I had yet another chemotherapy nurse this past week. I believe her name is Lori. It is getting hard to keep the names of the members of my entourage straight. She seemed nice. To be honest, I didn’t really have as much interaction with her as I have had with other nurses. The treatments, for the most part, are becoming routine. Yes, they remain time consuming, but I am becoming more and more accustomed to the regimen. Isn’t it amazing what you can become used to simply from repeated exposure to it?
Well…I guess I shall end this note now. The “chemobrain” is growing stronger and I doubt it would be good for my netbook to get drool all over it. As always, I thank you for your prayers and ask that you just keep lifting them up.
Tags: Chemotherapy, Fatigue, Neuropathy
