ABVD Cocktail

A = Adriamycin
B = Bleomycin
V = Vinblastine
D = Dacarbazine

These four drugs are in my chemotherapy cocktail.  Each comes with its own quirks or problems.

Supplementary medicines:

Emend = anti-nausea
Dexamethasone = steroid
Prochlorperazine = anti-nausea (as needed)
Ondansetron = anti-nausea
*~*~*
I am finally starting to regain the energy and mental prowess chemo absconded with this past week.  I was zonked, which is something I didn't expect this quickly.  It was difficult to deal with.

But, chemo doesn't stop there!  I also have/had:  Random muscle pains, urinary incontinence, severe constipation, and painful esophagus/stomach.  Some side effects are so bad I'm halfway convinced something terrible is going to occur soon.  My mouth always feels coated in something half-innocuous, half-vile.

I'm trying to mitigate damage as much as possible.  Ice cream helps my burning esophagus (small servings of fairly plain kinds or I get nauseous).  Stool softeners are at the ready.  Warmth helps the muscle pain.
*~*~*
I lack the will to do much right now.  Regulating my body feels like a full-time job, but the end results will be worth it.  I'm holding onto thoughts of life post-cancer.

Cancer vs. disease

If the doctor said you had cancer, what would be your first reaction?  What about a disease?  Would it feel the same?  Better?

Cancer carries a death sentence in most people's minds.  It doesn't matter what stage.  The first thing that flashes through their heads is "I could die".  Or worse:  "I'm going to die."

A disease sounds yucky, but it doesn't necessarily mean fatal.  It sounds like someone is sick and can be treated.  There are various diseases.  Cancer is simply a type of disease.

Words matter.  They change our perceptions and possess different amounts of baggage.  If you can't handle thinking about "cancer", think about your "disease".  You're sick.  You aren't dead yet.

There are more statistics than number of deaths.  There are millions of people who've survived cancer.  More will be declared cancer-free tomorrow.  Hope still... and always.