Side Effects

Dan took mom to her chemo today. He said that she looked and sounded tired.  Elisa picked her up.

I called mom when I got home to see how she was and how today went.  She sounded very loopy. Mom has been taking pain medication and Ibuprofen to help with the pain in her neck.  Ever since her "long day" on Tuesday, she has had a swollen neck, likely due to all the liquids she had that day and some since.  The nurse said it appeared the swelling is going down but that they would keep an eye on it.  

Mom was very tired yesterday.  Her pre-treatment normal bed time was around 11pm every night.  With everything that she has gone through, emotionally and physically, she now is experiencing fatigue.  She was in bed at 8pm last night!  She woke up at 1pm, took another pill (Ibuprofen) and went to sleep until 6:30 this morning.

Mom didn't have an appetite today. And her throat has a burning sensation (from the radiation).  And with her fatigue, it seems some of the side effects are kicking in.  We worry about her, especially being alone.

I'm glad mom will have 2 days to rest and recuperate after tomorrow (another day of chemo and radiation).  She will undergo radiation on Monday.  Then Tuesday, chemo (6 hrs...her "long day") and radiation.  

Mom asked me in a weary, sad voice, "I wish you could be with me Tuesday".  To which I replied, "Of course I will be with you mom.  I'll take the day off."  You can tell that perked her up a bit when she said, "You will?  Oh good!".  After we hung up, Dan had said she said the same thing when he drove her to the hospital today for her treatment.  I didn't realize how much she wanted me to be there with her on her "long days".  I have to admit, I missed being with her these past two days during her treatment..short or long.  I wish I could take every day off, to be with her and support her.  I am so grateful I have such an understanding employer.  They have been wonderful during this entire ordeal.

After talking with social services the other day, the application for financial assistance came today.  Now I will open it, review it and more than likely go see mom this weekend to complete it.  The sooner the better.

I also got my flu shot today.  Elisa already received hers (mom did months ago).  It's important for those close to her to have the shot.  Mom will be vulnerable and prone to infections and sickness so we all need to be as healthy as we can be.

Please keep us in your prayers.  I know I pray a lot more than I used to.