Cancer in a Mitten

Endometrial Cancer: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

side effects

Dear Cancer…

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I know I still need to work on the side effects post, however, I need to address cancer and put some things down in writing.

Cancer has taken away my uterus and therefore took away my ability to have children. I will never know what it is like to birth a child, or raise a child. I mourned this years ago, but the pain still hurts. I SO wanted to be a mommy. Thank you, Cancer.

Cancer has taken away my hair, 5 times I have lost my hair during to chemotherapy. Right now my hair is super thin and honestly, I’d rather it all fall out then my hair be so stinkin thin! I always had very thick hair. I don’t know what my new normal is yet as I am still in treatment.

Cancer has made me more aware of my body. This could be good but it’s not. I get a twinge of pain in a limb and I’m looking up the side effects for all my cancer drugs. My shoulders hurt, is that a side effect? My eyes are extra blurry, is that a side effect? The answer to both is Yes.

Cancer has made me move from my glorious bedroom upstairs to sleep and live in a downstairs bedroom (it’s more like a small office) because doing stairs is not something I want to do (sometimes I can’t physically do the stairs) and it is closest to the bathroom and the kitchen is not too far away.

Cancer has taken away my social life. I didn’t really have a social life, but now I totally do not leave home unless I have an appointment. I have missed many a family function due to not feeling well.

And finally for this blog post at least, Cancer has taken away my livelihood. I exhausted my Short Term Disability at work and had to go out on Long Term Disability. I cannot do my job with these side effects., When I post about my side effects it may make more sense.

Dear Cancer…you suck big time!!! And I am tired of you.

Till next time…..Heidi

Three Days After Chemotherapy

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I wrote this on April 15, 2023, however, for some reason it wouldn’t upload from the WordPress app. I’ll figure it out. Anyway, here is the post…

So chemo was Wednesday (4/12/23). Today is Saturday and I’ve basically been in bed all day. (I was in bed all weekend, really) Not to sleep really, just because it’s more comfortable to lay down than it is to sit at my desk.

The bone/joint pain has set in and everything from my ankles to my wrists are throbbing. My elbows even hurt – ELBOWS!! I also have those zinging pains but they seem to be focused at my waist this time around. Oh, and also the zings are happening between my fingers.

It’s also in the 80’s here in MI and my room/office is hot! (We had a stretch of summer weather) And this thing – nodule, mass, lesion, tumor…whatever it is) in my abdomen is bothering me.

Oh! And my eyes are blurry. I desperately need new glasses but I don’t think now is the time to go in and get them checked. I don’t know. I think they are affected by the chemo. (Future Heidi here, I am definitely going to ask my oncologist at the next appointment. I may just see if I can get a copy of my old script and get a new pair outside of my insurance.)

I just wanted to check in and post where I’m at. I will update more when I am able to sit more comfortably at my desk.

Until then…Heidi

Let’s Talk Chemotherapy Side Effects

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The two Chemotherapy drugs that I receive are Taxol and Carboplatin.

Chemo days used to be about 6 hours. I get some pre-meds which are antacids, liquid Benadryl, and something else that I cannot think of at the moment. (Chemo brain is a real thing, y’all!) I say used to be because I had an allergic reaction to the Taxol in February, 2023 and now my Chemo days are about 8 hours. (A separate post about this is coming soon.)

Both chemo drugs have similar side effects. The side effects that I get are:

  • Hair loss – I’ve lost my hair 4 times now. Every time I’ve taken a break from chemo, my hair grows back. Once I start the chemo (well 17 days after – funny how they can pin point it down to the days like that) my hair starts falling out again.
  • Neuropathy/tingling in fingers and toes – I also get these little zings (for lack of a better word) in my legs, arms, hands, and feet. The zings are totally random and are more frequent closer to chemo.
  • Mouth sores – They’re not even sores per say, but more like the skin on the inside of my mouth is cut up. I don’t know, it’s weird.
  • Food doesn’t taste right or I just don’t want to eat – this is right after chemo and lasts a few days to a week.
  • Constipation and diarrhea – it’s a fun combo of both.
  • Joint pain – I personally think this is more bone pain for me, but it’s the worst pain I’ve ever been in. Now mind you, I have not been through childbirth, however, I have had a complete hysterectomy and that was pretty painful.
  • Nausea – I am *very* lucky in that I do not get nauseous regularly. I also haven’t had days where I vomit or anything like that. I have been nauseous a few times, and usually taking Zofran helps for that.
  • Body chills – These happen the day of chemo as well as the day after and sometimes into the 2nd day after. A friend who has been through chemotherapy for Breast Cancer recommended I get an electric blanket for those days. I haven’t done so yet.
  • Exhaustion/tiredness – This is a constant while I am going through chemo. Like today, I am 2 1/2 weeks out and I am exhausted. I cannot get enough sleep.]

Now the above are the side effects that I experience. You, your family member, or friend may experience different side effects than I do. My oncologist gave me a binder of information and I’ve found that most of what was in there was true for me.

Tomorrow I’ll post about the allergic reaction I had to chemo.

Till then…Heidi