Having completed my initial set of treatments, it was time to confront the aftermath—or more aptly put, the side effects. Armed with the expectation of chemo-induced nausea and vomiting, I took proactive measures, ordering disposable puke bags from Amazon. These oversized contraptions, resembling giant condoms, had caught my eye at various running races, where they served as a solution for runners battling upset stomachs. I deemed them an essential addition, strategically placing them in the car and by my bedside.
On day 2, as I sat down for dinner at home, an unexpected guest made its entrance: the hiccups. What began as a mere annoyance evolved into a continuous bout persisting even during attempts at slumber. Concerned, I reached out to the on-call oncologist, realizing that every nuance in this clinical study required documentation. The oncologist, attributing the hiccups to the chemo’s impact on my diaphragm, suggested giving it another day. Fortunately, the hiccups bid adieu on the evening of day 4 (Sunday), after a relentless 48-hour stint. My midsection muscles, however, bore the brunt of this hiccup marathon, prompting the soothing relief of Tylenol.
Simultaneously, a low-grade headache made its entrance on the evening of day 2, accompanied by nocturnal dehydration. Despite maintaining a daily water intake of at least 64oz, suspicions arose around the twice-daily Pepcid causing dehydration. These nightly headaches persisted through round 2, prompting a dialogue with my oncologist. Permission granted, I shifted to taking Pepcid once daily at 1:00p, aiming to alleviate the nightly dehydration. Caffeine withdrawal, following my decision to abstain from all caffeine starting day 1, also played a role in the persistent headaches.
Day 11 unfurled a concerning development—my urine took on a dark hue, possibly tinged with pink, and showcased minuscule particles reminiscent of past encounters with kidney stones. A urinalysis on day 12 confirmed the presence of blood, leading to a temporary cessation of the trial medication. Fortunately, my urine cleared, and the urinalysis reverted to negative on day 23. Resuming the study drug, I remained free of any recurrence of blood in my urine for the rest of my treatments.
On day 14, post-shower, a rash manifested itself, extending from my neck to my waist on both the front and back. Oddly, it lacked the characteristic itch or burn. While neither my oncologist nor chemo nurse expressed concern, the rash vanished within a day or so.
Day 23 unfolded with an unexpected sojourn to bed, marked by episodes of chills and body shakes. Commencing before the resumption of the study medication on the same day, these shivers ceased the following day.
In a testament to the effectiveness of anti-nausea medication, ondansetron, I navigated the entirety of the first round without succumbing to vomiting.