SaveMyFertility is a new educational resource on preserving fertility for cancer patients (men and women) and their doctors hosted by The Hormone Foundation, The Endocrine Society, and the Northwestern University's Oncofertility Consortium.
For more information, see article published on 6/7/11 on HealthCanal.com, "SaveMyFertility is the First-ever, Comprehensive Bilingual Resource for Preserving Fertility for Cancer Patients."
If you read this blog, you know that I am now dealing the infertility after effects of chemo. I wish resources like this one had been available to me prior to chemo. If you know anyone who is about to go through chemo, please make sure they (male or female) are aware of the potential effects to their fertility and that there are doctors and scientists who want to help.
Showing posts with label side effects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label side effects. Show all posts
16 June 2011
21 February 2011
Chemo Killed the Radio Star
I don't know how to write what I want to write. My lack of writing for the past few months was not because I had nothing to say but rather I felt the topic was too confusing, too emotional, and possibly too personal. Luckily, I have my fur baby, Betsy, who has been my nurse/emotional support cat throughout this entire experience, in my lap as I write this post.
Once a cancer victim/patient (you choose) completes chemo and is done with surgery, the assumption of many is that the crisis is over. While the medical treatments relating to the diagnosis may have ended, the emotional healing has barely begun and side effects from chemo may have caused unseen and permanent damage. In one of my early posts, I mentioned a side effect of chemo for breast cancer patients: menopause. While going through chemo, it is common for the female patient to stop ovulating and getting periods. And it happened to me. The younger the patient, the more likely the odds that the ovulation will return after chemo treatments end, so we were optimistic. Since chemo ended, my periods have been erratic. I have spoken to doctors and nurses, and read online discussion boards, and learned that it can two years for periods to regulate after chemo. My two year marker will be in April. April 8th to be exact.
I don't want to write a long post today. To explain my path and experiences over the past few months would take a while, and will try about it, just not right now. What I will say is that I think my odds of conceiving a baby naturally are low. I came to that realization yesterday. I am no longer going to be cautiously optimistic about getting pregnant. I know the two year marker is still two months away, but the statistical likelihood of my menstrual cycle suddenly normalizing that quickly is nil. And that makes me sad.
Once a cancer victim/patient (you choose) completes chemo and is done with surgery, the assumption of many is that the crisis is over. While the medical treatments relating to the diagnosis may have ended, the emotional healing has barely begun and side effects from chemo may have caused unseen and permanent damage. In one of my early posts, I mentioned a side effect of chemo for breast cancer patients: menopause. While going through chemo, it is common for the female patient to stop ovulating and getting periods. And it happened to me. The younger the patient, the more likely the odds that the ovulation will return after chemo treatments end, so we were optimistic. Since chemo ended, my periods have been erratic. I have spoken to doctors and nurses, and read online discussion boards, and learned that it can two years for periods to regulate after chemo. My two year marker will be in April. April 8th to be exact.
I don't want to write a long post today. To explain my path and experiences over the past few months would take a while, and will try about it, just not right now. What I will say is that I think my odds of conceiving a baby naturally are low. I came to that realization yesterday. I am no longer going to be cautiously optimistic about getting pregnant. I know the two year marker is still two months away, but the statistical likelihood of my menstrual cycle suddenly normalizing that quickly is nil. And that makes me sad.
04 February 2010
Fuzzy Brain
Recently a thought occurred to me: the popular children's rhyme about Fuzzy Wuzzy is a metaphor for chemo. Hair loss is only one of many side effects. A fuzzy or muddled brain is another. At times I wonder if my short term memory is gone forever. Sometimes when participating in a simple conversation, I will forget my thought. I often can’t remember what was said minutes before (by me or my conversational partner). Even as I write this blog entry, I am forgetting my thoughts mid-sentence and then sit at the computer waiting for the thought to return.
Now I know what you are thinking. You think “I forget things.” True. You probably do. Before chemo, I too would forget what item I sought in the living room or my truly brilliant reply within a conversation. But this sense of forgetfulness is a constant presence, whether I am at work or at play. At times, I worry that I’m forgetting something really important. In fact, right now, I know I had a “bigger picture” point to make in this blog entry but sadly it is escaping me at the moment.
Now I know what you are thinking. You think “I forget things.” True. You probably do. Before chemo, I too would forget what item I sought in the living room or my truly brilliant reply within a conversation. But this sense of forgetfulness is a constant presence, whether I am at work or at play. At times, I worry that I’m forgetting something really important. In fact, right now, I know I had a “bigger picture” point to make in this blog entry but sadly it is escaping me at the moment.
08 December 2009
Hair Update
When I first met the bevy of oncologists while deciding which chemo program would be best for me, each doctor informed that one side effect of chemo is curly hair. Since hair loss is almost inevitable, hair growth is also inevitable. What the doctors and nurses told me is that when hair returns, it grows in curly. They also tried to imply that curly hair is a good thing. Maybe for some people, but not for me. Each time a doctor would mention the curly regrown hair, I would give them the best death stare I could muster up.
My hair has slowly been regrowing since March. By summertime, I was able to go wig-free. My hair was growing in straight. I got cocky. Let me warn you, never get cocky. It will always be your downfall. Well, at the very least, it is my downfall.
My hair is curly now. The words that I want to say right now are inappropriate for an online forum. Let's just say, I'm not very happy about the curly hair. Maybe it will grow on me.
My hair has slowly been regrowing since March. By summertime, I was able to go wig-free. My hair was growing in straight. I got cocky. Let me warn you, never get cocky. It will always be your downfall. Well, at the very least, it is my downfall.
My hair is curly now. The words that I want to say right now are inappropriate for an online forum. Let's just say, I'm not very happy about the curly hair. Maybe it will grow on me.
21 March 2009
Exhaustion
I can't believe how tired I have been lately. Last night I slept almost 12 hours. I have slept that much in years, and right now I can barely hold my head up. My body is tired. My concentration is shot. I'm looking forward to watching something silly on television.
Tomorrow and Monday, I am working both afternoons at an informational fair for seniors. I hope I don't crash. That would be ugly. Usually I hide in my office when I work, so being on display is a first for me since the chemo began. Wish me luck!
Tomorrow and Monday, I am working both afternoons at an informational fair for seniors. I hope I don't crash. That would be ugly. Usually I hide in my office when I work, so being on display is a first for me since the chemo began. Wish me luck!
19 March 2009
Unwanted Side Effects
The current time in Ohio is 2:30am and I cannot sleep. Thank you steroids. I went to chemo this morning which means that I am unable to sleep no matter how tired I am. I want to sleep, I love to sleep.
Another unpleasant side effect of chemo is hot flashes. Getting an early preview of menopause is not something anyone should experience. The hot flashes started a couple of weeks ago. I feel really warm and beads of sweat appear on my forehead.
Aches and pains are my other recurring annoyances. My toe "knuckles" ache. Sometimes my knees feel as if they are going to give out on me. My arms also are achy. Basically I experience lots of joint pain.
And I am often very tired. Exhaustion is becoming a way of life. The nurse today explained to me that the exhaustion is cumulative. I have one month left, and am tired all the time. Earlier in my Taxol rounds, I felt almost normal but the drug side effects are beginning to catch up with me. The nurse also told me that it is possible that I will take a while to regain my usual stamina after the chemo is over which is no good. I've got plans, and nothing is going to stop me. I need to leave the state of Ohio.
On the other side of evil chemo side effects, I am lucky to have been relatively healthy before chemo began. I never lost all my eyebrows or eyelashes. My nails did not turn gross and nasty. I never vomited. Of course I better be careful about what I saw. I still have 3 more sessions of chemo left. If there is one thing that I have learned from cancer experience, anything is possible.
Another unpleasant side effect of chemo is hot flashes. Getting an early preview of menopause is not something anyone should experience. The hot flashes started a couple of weeks ago. I feel really warm and beads of sweat appear on my forehead.
Aches and pains are my other recurring annoyances. My toe "knuckles" ache. Sometimes my knees feel as if they are going to give out on me. My arms also are achy. Basically I experience lots of joint pain.
And I am often very tired. Exhaustion is becoming a way of life. The nurse today explained to me that the exhaustion is cumulative. I have one month left, and am tired all the time. Earlier in my Taxol rounds, I felt almost normal but the drug side effects are beginning to catch up with me. The nurse also told me that it is possible that I will take a while to regain my usual stamina after the chemo is over which is no good. I've got plans, and nothing is going to stop me. I need to leave the state of Ohio.
On the other side of evil chemo side effects, I am lucky to have been relatively healthy before chemo began. I never lost all my eyebrows or eyelashes. My nails did not turn gross and nasty. I never vomited. Of course I better be careful about what I saw. I still have 3 more sessions of chemo left. If there is one thing that I have learned from cancer experience, anything is possible.
30 January 2009
Oh my blog, I haven't forgotten you
The month of January has passed by quickly. I have topics which I would like to discuss but my energy and enthusiasm levels have been low. The December holidays were not a totally happy time, and consequently my spirits have been low. When my spirits are low, I am less inclined to share my thoughts and comments.
Two weeks ago I started Taxol. So far, Taxol is much easier to withstand than the A/C. Nausea no longer haunts for me days at a time. My physical energy levels are higher. Before I receive the Taxol, due to concerns regarding an allergic-reaction I receive Benadryl intravenously. Whoa! Makes me stupid and sleepy very quickly.
I am also in the process of losing more hair. I found a pile of eyelashes on my laptop. My eyebrows are also due to fall out. I am not looking forward to drawing on my eyebrows. Women who draw them on always look really creepy to me. I have thing about eyebrows, and have for a while. When I lived in Chicago, and rode the bus to work, I would often spy on people's eyebrows. I don't know why. I guess I found eyebrows to be fascinating -- how some people pluck and pluck, and others are keep their's long and shaggy. My plan was to purchase some fake glasses to hide my ever decreasing eyebrows but I haven't yet found any. Maybe I'll see if I can find some cheap glasses at Target over the weekend.
Two weeks ago I started Taxol. So far, Taxol is much easier to withstand than the A/C. Nausea no longer haunts for me days at a time. My physical energy levels are higher. Before I receive the Taxol, due to concerns regarding an allergic-reaction I receive Benadryl intravenously. Whoa! Makes me stupid and sleepy very quickly.
I am also in the process of losing more hair. I found a pile of eyelashes on my laptop. My eyebrows are also due to fall out. I am not looking forward to drawing on my eyebrows. Women who draw them on always look really creepy to me. I have thing about eyebrows, and have for a while. When I lived in Chicago, and rode the bus to work, I would often spy on people's eyebrows. I don't know why. I guess I found eyebrows to be fascinating -- how some people pluck and pluck, and others are keep their's long and shaggy. My plan was to purchase some fake glasses to hide my ever decreasing eyebrows but I haven't yet found any. Maybe I'll see if I can find some cheap glasses at Target over the weekend.
29 December 2008
Bubbles!
One of my favorite forms of relaxation is sitting in a hot bath, usually with bubbles, reading a magazine or trashy novel. According to my oncologist's office, bubble baths may cause urinary tract infections (UTI) in chemo patients. As I understand it, the UTI is caused by the chemicals in the commercially produced bubble baths. The thought of getting a UTI while on chemo made me fearful, so I was sad at the thought of 5 months with no relaxing bubble baths.
For Christmas, Brandon made me homemade lavender bath bombs with all natural ingredients. He found the recipe online from Instructables.com. I believe most of the ingredients were found at a local health food store. He has two additional tips for anyone who wants to makes some bombs:
TIPS:
1) Measure dry ingredients by weight, not volume
2) Plan to triple the amount of wet ingredients called for. You might not use the whole mix, but you'll certainly need to use more than the recipe calls for.
I highly recommend these homemade bath bombs. The bath smelled great and the oils made my skin very soft. Once again, I can enjoy leisurely baths through the long winter nights.
For Christmas, Brandon made me homemade lavender bath bombs with all natural ingredients. He found the recipe online from Instructables.com. I believe most of the ingredients were found at a local health food store. He has two additional tips for anyone who wants to makes some bombs:
TIPS:
1) Measure dry ingredients by weight, not volume
2) Plan to triple the amount of wet ingredients called for. You might not use the whole mix, but you'll certainly need to use more than the recipe calls for.
I highly recommend these homemade bath bombs. The bath smelled great and the oils made my skin very soft. Once again, I can enjoy leisurely baths through the long winter nights.
21 December 2008
Hair Away
Hair is mostly gone now. I wonder if spray-on hair is still available for purchase? If I remember correctly from the late night infomercials, spray-on hair needed hairs to attach, of which I've got plenty random ones sprouting out of my head.
11 December 2008
Round 2 ... The Next Day
Just wanted to let y'all know that it has been about 24 hours since my I received my infusion of the toxic, burning drugs, and I don't feel as bad as I did the last time. Each day is different so tomorrow could be a whole new day of feeling crappy.
Last night was not pleasant. I felt pretty nauseated -- enough so that I took one of my "as needed" anti-nausea drugs. All I had for dinner was lots o' water, a milkshake (before the nausea kicked in, so maybe it was the milkshake), and saltines.
In a couple of hours, I'll head back to the clinic to get the shot that will help my white blood cell count return to normal at a faster rate than if we let "nature" take its course. A normal course would take 3 weeks. With the shot, it only takes 2 weeks. This is the shot that makes my bones ache because it also works on the blood cells in my bones.
And the best news of all (so far) is that I haven't experienced any hair loss... yet. It's supposed to start today.
Last night was not pleasant. I felt pretty nauseated -- enough so that I took one of my "as needed" anti-nausea drugs. All I had for dinner was lots o' water, a milkshake (before the nausea kicked in, so maybe it was the milkshake), and saltines.
In a couple of hours, I'll head back to the clinic to get the shot that will help my white blood cell count return to normal at a faster rate than if we let "nature" take its course. A normal course would take 3 weeks. With the shot, it only takes 2 weeks. This is the shot that makes my bones ache because it also works on the blood cells in my bones.
And the best news of all (so far) is that I haven't experienced any hair loss... yet. It's supposed to start today.
07 December 2008
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
Hair -- the first thing I think of when I hear the word chemo is bald people. Chemo makes people lose their hair. Since being diagnosed with cancer, I have learned that not everyone loses their hair. Some people don't lose their hair towards the end of their treatment. Some people don't lose it at all (and contribute their hair retention to ice packs). In the end, I think, in my all my pure and glowing ignorance of medicine, that the hair loss is dependent upon the drugs and an individual's body's reaction to the drugs.
The drugs that I am currently receiving, Adriamycin and Cytoxin, cause hair loss, or alopecia, as hair loss is medically-referred. Everytime I think of alopecia, I think of Stan Sitwell on "Arrested Development" whose eyebrows kept falling off of his face. With the AC drugs, first I'll begin to lose my hair in patches. Any hair that I don't lose with AC will be gone with when I begin Taxol (in mid-January), including eyebrows and eyelashes.
I am due to lose my hair sometime next week. I am not sure exactly when but it is soon. Yesterday I went to get my hair cut at a salon. My hair was very long, a little past my shoulders; the longest it had been in years. The stylist cut my hair fairly short, and thinned it out a bit. I have a lot of hair -- lots and lots of strands of hair. I'm not looking forward to cleaning up after the clumps as they fall out. I did purchase a silk pillowcase. Supposedly it well help me retain my hair for a little but longer; I don't really see how but am willing to give it a try.
The drugs that I am currently receiving, Adriamycin and Cytoxin, cause hair loss, or alopecia, as hair loss is medically-referred. Everytime I think of alopecia, I think of Stan Sitwell on "Arrested Development" whose eyebrows kept falling off of his face. With the AC drugs, first I'll begin to lose my hair in patches. Any hair that I don't lose with AC will be gone with when I begin Taxol (in mid-January), including eyebrows and eyelashes.
I am due to lose my hair sometime next week. I am not sure exactly when but it is soon. Yesterday I went to get my hair cut at a salon. My hair was very long, a little past my shoulders; the longest it had been in years. The stylist cut my hair fairly short, and thinned it out a bit. I have a lot of hair -- lots and lots of strands of hair. I'm not looking forward to cleaning up after the clumps as they fall out. I did purchase a silk pillowcase. Supposedly it well help me retain my hair for a little but longer; I don't really see how but am willing to give it a try.
01 December 2008
My First Time
So far the worst part of chemo is the exhaustion. I am constantly tired but I can't sleep. Unless I medicate with pain or anti-anxiety pills, I cannot stay asleep for longer than 2 hours at a time. And everytime I wake-up, I need to urinate. With the lone bathroom in my house being on another floor than my bedroom, this is an annoyance I could really do without. Plus by the time I shuffle back to bed, one of the cats has claimed more space on the bed than she really needs - an ongoing battle.
Last Tuesday my port was installed. The bruising on my shoulder and arm from the installation procedure was extensive, so the cancer nurses decided that I would receive my first treatment via IV in my arm. Brandon and I spent practically the whole day in the cancer clinic going over the treatment plan, the side effects in detail, and how to live our lives for the next 5 months.
I won't bore you with the not-so lurid details. I had multiple drugs injected into me via IV while I sat in a comfy recliner, ate some lunch and watched a "Law & Order" marathon. The whole chemo process was quite uneventful.
The big excitement for me was from to the redness of one of the chemo drugs, Adriamycin. The drug is bright red My urine was red immediately afterward the injection. My vein also turned red and I had to put an ice pack on it for about 30 minutes before I left the clinic. I am very sensitive. At times I want to think about all this stuff being pumped inside of me but other times I think ignorance is a wonderful state.
One of the any side effects of chemo is urine that can burn other people -- a super power I never thought I would have. In reality all that means is that I must flush twice for about 72 hours after chemo. Then my urine returns to human strength.
Other side effects seem to include lightheaded-ness and achy joints (supposedly more achy joints are to come so I'll be thankful for the little achy right now). I've got 5 more months of fun side effects to discuss so I'll keep you posted as they arrive. If all goes according to plan (and my blood cell count plays along), I should complete chemo in mid-April. Having an end in sight makes all of this seem do-able.
Last Tuesday my port was installed. The bruising on my shoulder and arm from the installation procedure was extensive, so the cancer nurses decided that I would receive my first treatment via IV in my arm. Brandon and I spent practically the whole day in the cancer clinic going over the treatment plan, the side effects in detail, and how to live our lives for the next 5 months.
I won't bore you with the not-so lurid details. I had multiple drugs injected into me via IV while I sat in a comfy recliner, ate some lunch and watched a "Law & Order" marathon. The whole chemo process was quite uneventful.
The big excitement for me was from to the redness of one of the chemo drugs, Adriamycin. The drug is bright red My urine was red immediately afterward the injection. My vein also turned red and I had to put an ice pack on it for about 30 minutes before I left the clinic. I am very sensitive. At times I want to think about all this stuff being pumped inside of me but other times I think ignorance is a wonderful state.
One of the any side effects of chemo is urine that can burn other people -- a super power I never thought I would have. In reality all that means is that I must flush twice for about 72 hours after chemo. Then my urine returns to human strength.
Other side effects seem to include lightheaded-ness and achy joints (supposedly more achy joints are to come so I'll be thankful for the little achy right now). I've got 5 more months of fun side effects to discuss so I'll keep you posted as they arrive. If all goes according to plan (and my blood cell count plays along), I should complete chemo in mid-April. Having an end in sight makes all of this seem do-able.
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