Not much fun..

So, two weeks post first chemo, and what was it like? Shit. That's what it was like. 

The first couple of days I actually felt a bit of a fraud, apart from being slightly woolly headed, and the occasional wave of nausea (nothing compared to morning sickness), I was fine.  I could drive, I could eat, I could do stuff.. and I was thinking that this might just be a breeze...

So, I spent the weekend feeling okayish, certainly nothing dreadful.  On the Monday I was tired, and spent most of the day on the sofa, but Tuesday am I felt ok enough to drive myself to the hospital for my prosthesis fitting.  That was an adventure in itself, roads still snowy and icy, hospital carpark was a skating rink, but I made it in good time and with no mishaps.

Saw my breast care nurse, Shirley, for the fitting, and that was amusing.  Bear in mind that I had no idea what cup size I actually was post-op (pre-op, big bad boob was an easy D cup), well, we experimented with different bras and prostheses.. and the upshot is that I am probably a B, but possibly an A on a bad day.  Bonus to this is that at least I can pinch the bras that my fifteen year old has outgrown.... and that I can prob. get away with no bra at all in the summer.  I can live with that!!  The prosthesis is a weird silicone thing, with one long flat side, and on getting it home I realised that I hadn't actually paid much attention as to which way up it was supposed to go, but I think the long flat side goes to the bottom.  At the moment, the whole lot goes in the box.. as I haven't actually bothered wearing it yet.  I can see it being useful in the warmer weather, but right now, really, who can be bothered? 

Anyhow, that was Tuesday morning.  I got home, no probs.. but then spent the next three days flat out on the sofa.  No energy, no interest, no real will to do anything.  And the most revolting taste/sensation in my mouth.  Imagine your mouth on awakening with a vicious hangover - like it's covered in felt that's been dipped in the most vile tasting chemical.. then imagine living with it for days.  Nothing cut through it - though gherkins came close, temporarily - but also gave me bad heartburn. It was possibly the most distressing side effect so far - and no matter how many times I brushed my teeth/used mouthwash/drank any type of fluid, it just wouldn't give up.  It's faded considerably now, but I'm still semi-aware of a dryness/tang that shouldn't be there.

Fortunately, by Christmas Eve I was much better - and Christmas was fine.  I managed all the cooking, and stayed awake through all the present opening - so good result. But I have to be honest, there were a few times during that first lot when I wondered if I could really do this five more times....