Sorry, not been on for a while but it has been a fairly quiet few days and is my rest week from Chemo.
So, how have I been? Well, I have had a mild background headache for a few days which is new and my teeth 'hurt'! That sounds odd I know but it is not as severe as actual toothache, but I feel my gums are may be shrinking - they are certainly receding despite good personal dental hygiene. I was actually warned that I might have a sore mouth and today (Sun), since I have had my dinner it seems to be the case. I have some various oral analgesic gels which will hopefully help to ease it, and I am certainly not one for spicy foods which I suspect would worsen it.
I am a little concerned that I don't have a Dentist now though, one of my many phobias is due to the electric shock like sensations I feel throughout my body when anything metal touches my teeth - I suspect this is more related to my MS than anything else, but it means a scale and polish is like torture Despite this I have never needed a single filling or tooth extraction in my 59 years on the planet (Touching wood as I type that boastful statement), maybe visits to the Hygienist where he/she continually pushes back the gum line ensures there is always extra work for the Dentist to do (and more money for them of course). Not sure what I will do if I do actually need any dental treatment as NHS Dentists are hard to come by on the island, and even finding a private one for nervous quivering wrecks like me will prove difficult - especially when I have to declare my current Chemotherapy regime.
Now to some of the more unsavoury side effects of the treatment. My wee smells awful, and the abdominal bloating and wind is horrendous. Fortunately the actual flatulence itself, although it rattles the windows a bit, and I can compete with Him in the Shed on that front (told you it was unsavoury) it doesn't smell so is better than some of the SBD's that creep up on me in Supermarket (Silent but deadlys!!) but I do try not to be close to any other customers. I suspect that some of the wind might be down to changes in my diet - I am eating hardly any meat now, (even gone off chicken) but I do still have Cheese, Milk and Eggs - thanks to our obliging 3 hens and some fish twice a week. I am finding that a Bagel and Humus with a few bits of salad for my supper regulate my blood sugar without the need for too much insulin.
I have actually been managing my blood sugars reasonably well since the oral steroids finished, but am still having an occasional Hypo when I misjudge the insulin required for certain foods. Of course I only started insulin the same week as the Chemo, and the Diabetic Nurses have praised my efforts in keeping it below 10 mmols whenever possible. Of course there will be more titrating and frustrations from Thursday when my next Chemo and steroids are due.
HOORAY! I actually managed to go for a swim yesterday which was reassuring after last week, and, amazingly I didn't find my usual 20 lengths too challenging considering it was two weeks since I did any exercise. I wonder if during my next break week if I could increase it a bit.
A Pamper Day and a Half!
Today, I have decided to have a bit of a pamper day - we were due to go to Calbourne Mill with Daphne for their 1940's weekend, but due to the heavy showers and gales (nothing to do with me!) it was cancelled. I am sure it has been the same bad weather on that particular weekend for the past 3 years, as I remember sitting in Betty last year (and the previous year) while the wind blew and the heavens opened. This year was the worst though, and many island events were cancelled on Saturday including the Jack Up.. event at Newport. Such a shame as they had some famous acts booked who couldn't even get to the island due to cancelled ferries. Calbourne was cancelled today too.
So far I have had a long soak in the bath, and coloured my hair (Honey Blonde, not that you would notice despite me leaving the dye on for 45 minutes!). Once I am in bed I will have a peeling face mask, and attempt to put some nail varnish on my toenails. It is a waste of time trying to do any sort of manicure though - for one thing I bite my nails, but also they are so thin they are flaking and splitting, often leaving them bleeding and sore. I am also getting loads of painful hangnails. Tomorrow, I will see if I can dye my eyebrows and lashes which are so pale they are invisible. The Oncologist said I would be unlikely to lose my hair but it might become thinner - mind you it is already very fine and thin due to the Rebif, but I am hoping that by colouring it, it might look a bit fuller and less of a flat colour.
One positive thought is that, even though I have to have Chemo again this week, if I am indeed having just four cycles then I am half way through my Therapy. I expect it will all hinge on an ultrasound scan after the fourth sessions.
