This morning as I was eating my cereal, I could tell that it tasted different. I've eaten cereal everyday for breakfast since the beginning of time! Today, it tasted funny. I need to eat about every 3 hours to keep the nausea under control, and I need to drink tons of water, but today it is tasteless and flat. I felt really down when I was eating dinner and everything was "off". I guess there's no point in eating the yummy stuff that's bad for me when I can't taste it anyway. It is really depressing.
Thanks to Esther who took the kids for a while this morning. I am so grateful for her help and the kids love to go there, they do very well there. It gave me a chance to go through piles of stuff and get organized. I was feeling pretty down this morning and had a hard time getting started, but I managed to get through it all. Thanks Esther! My friend Tricia came this afternoon and spent the rest of the day here. That meant I could go run all my errands, including sending off three large envelopes for Locks of Love at the post office! I stopped at Dick's to pick up some Crystal Light, among other things, to see if flavoring the water will make it taste better to me. I unknowingly picked the right line to go through. The lady was very nice, but hesitant for a moment, then she asked me how I was doing. I told her I just had my first treatment and was doing OK, under the circumstances. : ) She told me she's done it twice, and then I saw the pink ribbon pinned to her uniform. After I paid, she came and gave me a big hug and I started to cry. It is amazing how supportive and caring people are, even perfect strangers.
Mat and I are headed to the gym tonight. I'm not sure I'm up to my routine, but it will be nice to get out and feel as normal as possible.
6 comments:
ohhh Kim... Hang in there. I could hear it in your post, that you are sort of down today. The count down has started... only 3 more of the AC's left. You can do this!! And... it's so ok to allow yourself to be sad about it. Just know that sooo many people love you, that you will make it, and that its but a little blip in your road!
I love you... along with thousands of other people. :-)
Your fellow survivor,
Renee
Renee, will the taste come back after A/C or will this hang around through all 8 treatments? Thanks for your encouragement!!! I'm so grateful our paths crossed! I love you too. : ) I know I can get through it, I am starting to understand what people have been telling me all along, "It won't be easy, but you will get through it."
Kim...
Although everyone is different, things tasted like metal or dirt to me for a long time. It was so weird for me to LOVE to drink water before chemo and then as soon as chemo started, I couldn't hardly swallow a drop. Search for things that you can drink so you dont get dehydrated. I guess too with the expectation that it doesnt have to taste good, just palatable to keep you hydrated. I think I mentioned that FUJI water was the only one that tasted like "nothing" when all other water tasted like dirt. I would love to come see you with all sorts of drinks and do a taste test with you. :-) As far as food goes, HUNTSMAN told me that whatever sounds good, is what you should eat. Stay away from antioxidant suppliments as they help protect cancer cells thru the chemo. Let me know where you are struggling and we will bring a bunch of things we can try out on ya. :-) Of course, getting enough rest will make your whole world look better!
I love you!
Renee
Renee, hydration is the big thing right now. I can pick and choose my food, but the dang liquids are a problem. I just gag them down. I'd love some ideas! I remember now that you said FUJI water, others have recommended Gatorade, but from there, I'm not sure where to go.
I started taking Lysine to prevent mouth sores, is that one of the supplements Huntsman might be referring to? Thanks for your help!!! : )
Lysine is one of the suppliments people swear by, but I took it sporatically and didnt see a difference. The thing that helped me the most to prevent mouth sores was eating ice when the infusion is going in and slightly before. If you can grab a cup of ice when you go in to get your mouth cold when the infusion starts, it keeps those mucous membranes in your mouth constricted. Ithink you said that you had tried that the first time. Are you getting mouth sores?
How did the crystal lite work for you?
Renee,
No mouth sores yet, but I've taken a couple Lysine a day since I started. I will remember the ice thing (others have told me that too) and will count on better days ahead! The crystal lite, in some flavors, is working. Lemonade seems to be my favorite right now, Raspberry Ice . . . yuck. Did you do your A/C every two weeks? I've had a hard time today knowing that I wouldn't have that third week to feel great before getting knocked down again. But! I'll be done quicker too. : )
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