16. Pegfilgrastim, and Doreen too
June 3, 2022
Update. Day 5 post-chemotherapy, and day 4 post-pegfilgrastim injection (recall: for increasing the infection-fighting white blood cells which can be depleted during chemotherapy).
So far I have not seen crazy side effects of chemotherapy yet, except maybe the need to eat small frequent meals to prevent nausea. Hair is still intact, it’s not expected to fall off till next week. The pegfilgrastim is another story – muscle aches, fatigue, sweating, facial flushing that eventually went away. Symptoms are better with paracetamol (acetaminophen). I am also taking the antihistamine (anti-allergy) medicine loratadine because it’s supposed to prevent bone pain… seems to be working, I don’t have bone pain.
Taking it easy still includes 5-10 minute light cardio exercise, watching movies (in the last two days – one per day is enough and I don’t have energy for more), reading, napping, praying, listening to podcasts/webinars/etc. I think I’ve turned the corner and am getting better, but not “there” yet. Mom says the first week is usually the worst, and then week 2-3 you slowly get back to normal. Then you do week 1 over again – no wonder they call each time period a “cycle” of chemotherapy!
Finally, a reflection about Doreen, the breast cancer mascot, because I guess we have to mention her:
I have found that telling stories from her viewpoint helps people understand what’s going on, and a coping mechanism for me to write the narrative of my illness. Realizing this now since I am preparing to teach a 2-week medical humanities elective for 4th and 5th year medical students… something already planned before the breast cancer diagnosis. Edited to add: this elective is scheduled for later this year! Concentrating on healing first.
