Tag: chemotherapy
60. Escorting chemo brain out of the building
I participated in bedside rounds with the residents and a rotating medical student today. One of our residents was using medical-ese to explain to a patient’s mother why her son needed a urinalysis. Recognizing this, I spoke to the mom in simpler, more understandable words (yes I talked to the resident about this after rounds… […]
54. Haircut, Hooray!
Haircut, hooray! Here I am looking absolutely excited about the first post-chemotherapy haircut. Goodbye unruly chia pet hair. Hello hair “trimmed into submission” (thanks to my friend Elaine for that appropriate phrase). Doreen approves.
52. Chemo Brain and Aphasia
I’ve sent some friends an early draft of this post, and was debating whether I should put it here for everyone to see. Obviously I’ve decided 🙂 so here it is along with Doreen in an oversized bucket hat to represent chemo brain. Two days ago, I realized I am not ready to start seeing […]
27. Digestive System Issues (Good and Bad)
August 5, 2022 Update. These last few days have been quite instructive in managing the digestive system… more specifically, nausea and reflux symptoms (gastro-esophageal reflux disease, or GERD). First, ginger tea (salabat) helps a lot with the nausea. But it must be sipped instead of gulped Oops. I was trying to hydrate after my light […]
26. Chemotherapy, Session 4 of 4
August 1, 2022 Update. On the way to chemotherapy session 4 of 4 this morning. Besides the essential chemotherapy medications and cold packs for hands and feet to prevent neuropathy, here are other things I need today (with Doreen, who is also essential and says, “Let’s do this!”). 1. Reading glasses, to help me see […]
23. Post-chemotherapy Zoom Day, and a Bald Pig
July 16, 2022 Update. As expected, week 1 of the chemotherapy cycle = not feeling well with fatigue and nausea, both of which were manageable without medications. I took some paracetamol/acetaminophen for muscle pains a few times. Overall, I just had to take things easy and pace myself with food intake and activities. I am […]
22. Chemotherapy, Session 3 of 4
July 11, 2022 Update. Chemotherapy session 3 of 4 is done! The pre-chemo blood work looked OK overall. Hemoglobin is now back to normal, albeit low normal. But I’ll take it… anemia resolved. Will need to watch the creatinine though, it’s a marker of kidney function. It has been trending up, and I am guessing […]
20. Mid-Chemotherapy Side Effects and Hair
June 26, 2022 Update. End of week 1, second of four chemotherapy cycles. I have been a hermit this past week, just stayed at home to rest after chemotherapy last Monday (6 days ago). As expected, days 3 and 4 post-chemotherapy were the worst with side effects of nausea, fatigue, muscle pains and occasional tachycardia […]
19. Chemotherapy, Session 2 of 4
June 18, 2022 Update. Chemotherapy session 2 of 4 done today. Earlier in the week: I finally got my Philhealth card (Universal Healthcare) and updated my premium contributions. As I understand it, I can use its benefits starting with chemotherapy session no. 3 in July – by that time I would have paid enough contributions […]
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 […]
