Sunday night, my Seasonal Allergies (or as Brett calls it my "yearly at the exact same time of year" bad Cold!) decided to pay me a visit. OH. MY. DEATH. OF. ME!!!!!!
Let's just say that I may have gotten out of bed for a total of 45 minutes all day Monday and Glory watched a LOT of TV! Sorry Baby! Monday night the thought crossed my mind to have Brett take me into the ER but that just really ticks me off. Can't anyone in my family be sick or injured during regular business hours???? We really suck at that! Being stubborn like I am- I decided I would wait until the morning. By the time I got up, it had started to let up a bit. So I made a call to the Roger Maris Cancer Center instead.
When my Oncology Nurse called me back, I lost it (tears to make me sound really pathetic, I guess) and asked her if I could share my list of symptoms with her. Then she could tell me if there was anything she could do for any of them. Also- she could tell me what the heck is Chemo related and what is just my Seasonal cold issues?
Here's my long, pathetic list I shared with her minus my smart alec comments. (Prepare yourself for some major whining!):
* I've taken Prilosec since Friday for the major Acid Reflux taste in my throat. It's about 90% better.
But now...
* I have a clear, runny nose that never stops.
* My mouth feels like a cotton ball all the time. Worse now that I can't breath through my nose. (I'm a nose breather, people so this is painful!)
* I've had a slight head-ache that turned into a really bad sinus head-ache.
* I am constantly having cold/hot flashes. (Bi-polar like moments less than 10 minutes apart)
* My sinuses feels swollen to double their size. I just want to constantly rub them to stop the pressure.
* My nose is running but it feels like it's burning and dry. It's starting to bleed a bit.
* I have a burning feeling like last week but now it's in my limbs and my head.
* My taste buds are completely shot. All food sucks basically! And I can't eat anything but ice cream or smoothies without tear-ing up. :(
* All my teeth feel like they need dental work done. OUCH! They all ache and have sharp pains in places. And the truth is- I already have really bad teeth so maybe I do need some dental help. (That makes me want to cry all by itself!) *NOTE to future Chemo patients- Before you start chemo- go get your teeth checked and have all problems taken care of beforehand!
* My gums are really sore.
* My tongue is raw from rubbing it on my teeth and is getting little bumps on it that aren't supposed to be there.
* Because of my sinuses dripping down my throat, I have a cough that started. It's making my ribs hurt a bit and is not helping that last 10% of my throat heal properly.
* My lips look like I have been licking them and they are all dry and chapped. Even with chap stick smeared like a clown, they don't feel any better.
* My ears are in a lot of pain. I'm a side sleeper but ANY pressure on them at all makes me want to cry. I'm having a hard time getting any sleep because 1- I can't breathe or 2- I can't get comfy at all. Then when I finally do get comfy enough to fall asleep, I have to pee! ARGGGH! (I know- waaaah!)
Brett and I teased that this may just ALL be in my head. No... I mean- it really is! Everything (all the pain and symptoms) have gone to my head! OUCH! What a pain!
Andrea, my Oncology Nurse called back later after she'd talked to Dr. Panwalker about my list with some suggestions. She said I can take an over-the-counter cold/allergy medication to fight the allergy stuff. Then she gave me a recipe for a baking soda/salt mouth rinse for my dry mouth and teeth issues. She told me that with the Chemo attacking my immune system that my body is having a hard time fighting properly. She said they think I will be feeling much better in a couple days but if not to give them a call. Fortunately by the end of the day, I could tell that I am on the mend from this mess. Hallelujah! But holy cow! I am surprised I survived- even if it's only in my head!
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