Chemo, Cycle 1, Day 7

A week has passed since I started chemo and I'd say it had been a pretty good start. While I did get a new side effect the past 2 days (hiccups which lasts for hours), none of the others became worse than what they already were on days 1 and 2.  I have been mostly nauseous the whole week, and it does go overdrive at times, but it hasn't gotten bad enough to actually cause vomiting... at least not yet.

I guess one good thing is that I have gotten quite familiar with the symptoms that I now know what to expect and when. By knowing, I gain more control of what I allow, which means I get less surprises. For example, I know that my palms and fingers will get tingles every time I wash with cold water. So I'd try to avoid that. Except when I'm being naughty and I really want to feel the needles again. I also know that my first bite every meal will always hurt like Manny Pacquiao just punched me in the jaw. So I'd always start with something really satisfying, like chocolate, cause what takes pain away better than chocolates do, right?

However, today has been completely different. Unfortunately, diarrhea had set in. And it's so bad that I have already gone beyond my post-surgery average of 4.5 trips to the toilet just past lunchtime. And it feels like it's not gonna stop. I do feel a lot weaker and my lips are starting to dry. I have already started meds to counter this (loving wife is taking good care of me), so I hope I feel better soon. For now though, I'm changing the signs on the toilet door cause I think that's where I will be sleeping tonight.