Chemotherapy round 2 was much easier than round 1. Not necessarily the side effects, but overall. I learned a lot during round 1, so round 2 was easier in that I largely knew what to expect.
For example, I’ve learned it takes 8 or 9 days after chemo before I start to feel better and today I’m happily mostly on the other side of this round’s side effects.
Side Effects
Speaking of side effects, here’s my list for this round. They’re similar to the first round but perhaps not quite as intense this time. I think some of that is my body having already experienced chemo this time, while some of it is knowing what to expect and how to manage the side effects better.
- Blurry eyes
- Bone pain (not as bad this time)
- Fatigue
- Gross feeling belly (chemo belly)
- Hair loss
- Headache
- Hyperactivity and skin flushing (from the steroids)
- Loss of taste (started coming back on day 8)
- Mentally out of it (especially during the first few days)
- Muscle fatigue
- Muscle pain
- Raw mouth
- Tired/sore jaw (especially while chewing)
Another thing I’ve learned is that I sleep most of the day starting two days after chemo (which is my first day off the steroids) and continuing for a few days. After that, I’m able to stay awake more but need naps throughout the day. The 8 or 9 days following the infusion are still quite rough, but I’m glad I’m learning what to expect along the way.
One last thing I’ve learned — not being able to taste things for a week makes me grumpy, lol. I’m somewhat sensory seeking and taste is a big way I do that. And apparently it messes with my mental health when I cannot. Super glad my sense of taste came back in time for my upcoming birthday food and cake!
Hair Loss
The big news this round is that I’m experiencing hair loss (as anticipated). I’d been testing my hair since chemo started by gently pulling on it to see if it would come out. It started coming out with the pull test on November 29 and by December 1 I was shedding. It’s been almost a couple weeks since the shedding began and it’s been constant. There is always loose hair on my face and everywhere else right now. It’s kind of like having a dog again!
I’m almost out of hair now and I’m really looking forward to no longer shedding like I have been.
I mostly feel okay about the hair loss. I was as prepared for it as I could be. Throughout my life, I’ve had a tendency to do wild things with my hair on a whim because it’ll grow back. I think practicing non-attachment to my hair in that way over the years is proving helpful in this situation. At the same time, I have felt an emotional sense of loss about it occasionally. About my hair but also about what it represents — my health. I mean, very few things say, “I have cancer” more clearly than the bald chemo head.
I don’t look in the mirror much in general, so sometimes I forget I have very little hair and then it’ll catch me by surprise when I pass the mirror. I even went into the bathroom to spray my hair with water before a video appointment yesterday (which I do to work out any weird spots) and concluded once I got in there that there’s not enough hair left for that. At this point, it’s just gonna do what it’s doing.
I’m curious how much longer I’ll be shedding before I’m fully bald. Here are some progress photos from the past couple weeks. We should take bets about how much longer before I’m bald. Let me know if you have a guess!
Next Up
Next up for me is a chemo checkup on December 20. Chemo round 3 is December 26.