I'm into my 4th cycle of Oxy now.... CCR isn't without it's problems but I understand that in the grand scheme of things, it provided a ray of light of not having to undergo radical surgery and for that I'm grateful. Interim blood tests and MRI scans / rectal site check have been positive and doing well so far.
A number of things that I'm trying to get through at the moment...
Ridiculous mood swings - it's difficult to tell whether it's due to to the cocktail of medication or due to the early menopausal induced by earlier pelvic radiation. I can laugh one moment and then break down next. The oncologist is hesitant to prescribe any anti-depressant but have advised to increase my intake of lorazapem for now. Seeing as I only have 2 more cycles to go, I should try to bear with it instead of getting started on any anti-depressant.
Constipation - Resolved by taking Domperidone, probiotics tablets and Duphalac. Thank god.
MRI tests - Geeeez. Lying down for 1.5 hours each time and not moving is sort of torturing
Blood tests - Needles, needles and more neeedles !
Staying fit - Time needs to be taken out to stay as fit as possible but it's so damn hard with all that is going on. I know this sounds like a whiny statement but because on the outside WW-ers seems perfectly fine, however on the inside (for me at least) - all sort of mental exhaustion creeps in. I'm quite fortunate not to have suffered much physical side effects. My taste bud is still intact and my numbness or tingly sensation is still fairly manageable but damn, the mood swings and mental capacity to stay well is just so hard to deal with !
Paperwork - Endless medical paperwork and insurance disputes ! No explanations needed as I'm sure everyone has been through it.
IV infusion pain - My left arm has reached its pain threshold finally. I will be switching to the right arm for my 5th and 6th cycle.
Question - Should I have rotated my arms much earlier ? The reason I have been resistant to using my right arm is because it's my dominant arm. The idea of being "handicapped" for a few days after infusion isn't really all that appealing and hence I insisted on using my left arm until this 4th cycle where it reaches the pain threshold.
Should I use my right arm for the 5th and then back to the left again for the 6th ?