[2020-11-27] Staying strong
I had a follow-up call with my oncologist today to discuss how I'm handling the chemotherapy—"getting through it" he imagined. In fact, I feel like I'm doing better than "getting through it." As per advice on Six ways to stay strong during chemo, I'm eating well, staying hydrated, coping with physical changes, avoiding infections, exercising, and getting rest and sleep.
Nutrition
As I indicated to my oncologist, my appetite has remained strong throughout the chemotherapy treatment. In fact, I have regained some of the weight I had lost before and just after surgery. This morning, I weighed almost 122 pounds, better than the 118 pounds I weighed in the summer.
Hydration
I noted to the oncologist that I'm aiming to drink 8-9 cups of water or other liquid per day. Though this makes for frequent trips to the bathroom, it's good for me. As the article notes, "Drinking plenty of water before and after treatment helps your body process chemotherapy drugs and flush the excess out of your system." My doctor echoed this.
Coping with physical changes
The physical changes associated with chemotherapy have been easily resolved or not bothersome. Hair loss has been one of the easiest issues for me to cope with. Since I haven't lost my eyebrows or eyelashes (at least not yet), I look like any other Canadian girl wearing a toque in the winter. I have lots of comfy beanies to keep me warm in and out of the house: bamboo ones in plum and grey, and fleece ones in red, a psychedelic peace pattern, and a cute rubber duckie design.
I have lots of colour in my face, and the blemishes that appeared on my cheeks after my third chemo (perhaps a side effect of the treatment or a reaction to a cream) have now cleared up.
Similarly, a yeast infection—another possible chemo side effect—has been easily treated with a prescription medication.
Numbness in my fingertips, a known reaction to chemo, has also been manageable. My oncologist confirmed that as long as the numbness is not so serious that it prevents me from buttoning up a shirt, I'm good.
As well, my oncologist wasn't overly concerned about my low neutrophil levels. You may recall, as I explained in Chemo #3 and 100th post, that a chemo nurse had told me that I needed a neutrophil level of 1.2 or above or my chemotherapy treatment would be postponed. Two days before my last chemo, I was at 1.1; fortunately, I reached 1.2 on the morning of my scheduled treatment, which proceeded. Today, my oncologist indicated that my neutrophils could be as low as 1.0, so that reassures me that I will be able to continue my chemotherapy on my current schedule. He also noted that if my neutrophil levels remain low, he could prescribe a medication to help them bounce back.
Avoiding infections
I noted, and my oncologist agreed, that it's actually easier to avoid infections now than it might have been in the absence of COVID. Many of the suggestions in the staying strong article are practices we've adopted to fight COVID: "Avoid bacteria and viruses by washing hands frequently and keeping them away from your face. Also, stay out of crowds." I am not going into any enclosed spaces, be it stores, restaurants or other people's houses. And no one comes into my home, and my immediate family members don't see anyone. We are all very careful about washing our hands, physically distancing from others, and wearing masks.
Exercise
My oncologist was impressed with my commitment to getting 10,000+ steps per day (except when I'm recovering from chemo). The article recommends: "Physical activity—even as little as three 10-minute walks a day—can improve your appetite and emotional state." It takes me about 100 minutes of walking during the day to reach 10,000 steps.
Rest and sleep
My pyjama days following chemotherapy are in keeping with the article's advice: "On the days after treatment, enjoy restful, relaxing activities while your body recovers." Even on non-pyjama days, I intersperse physical activity with mental activity to get the rest I need. Similarly, my efforts to get to bed by 10:00 p.m. and wake up at 6:30 a.m. follow this guidance: "To combat fatigue, get seven or eight hours of sleep each night and maintain consistent sleep-wake times."
My oncologist reminded me that tumours with a BRCA gene mutation—which I have—respond better to chemotherapy, which means a lower risk of recurrence. On top of that, once my chemotherapy is done, I will be given an additional drug, Olaparib, which is a targeted therapy for BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer.
All of this is very encouraging.
