Please forgive my late update. I’ve now had my fifth and sixth infusions! So far so good. The most noticeable side effects are my hair loss and nose bleeds. I take these over the rash and neuropathy! It’s only been a day since my sixth treatment so any new developments will be in a future post.
The rash from the immunotherapy has continued to fade, 2-plus weeks out from the second dose. This is good news! I’ve stopped the steroids, which might be why I’ve had less energy to keep up with posts. I’ve also stopped the Prilosec which, it turns out was making me dizzy. I thought it was the Gabapentin. It’s a relief to have that be done.
The neuropathy is under control and besides the Gabapentin, I’m taking a supplement called Alpha Lipoic Acid to help. I think it will take some time but maybe I can stop the Gabapentin at some point too.
At this point, the most dramatic change is my hair. It was coming out in clumps and time for my head to be shaved. What a strange feeling! It was a relief to have it gone. There is stubble. It helps keep whatever I choose to have on my head in place. It also feels like whatever is on my head is moving. That’s the strange feeling.
I did get a free wig from the cancer resource center. I think it works well for online meetings but people would be able to tell in person. I can wear it for a few hours and then it gets too hot on my head. I’m more a fan of hats at this point.
Good enough for online meetings. I might stick with hats otherwise.
The last of my hair in a small pile on a paper towel, on the counter.
The shape of my head, sans hair. I think Matt had fun shaving it.
D’Arcy Last night, I finally got to see your wig. You did a great job picking out the style and color. It does look good on screen. It was a bit sad to see the last bit of your natural hair clumped on the paper towel. Thank goodness it’s just temporary. With or without hair you are the same wonderful brave person that you have always been. Much love Mom 💞
It was a forlorn little lump of hair. As this process has continued, it’s become a lot easier and it seems like any adverse reaction is either temporary or can be remedied, I am happy to say. Thanks Mom. 💕 Love, D’Arcy
Great looking cranium, D’Arcy! We’re thinking of you ,hope things continue to go well for you. I did think the gel pack mittens would make great hand puppets, you could make them little wigs out of your spare hair… (healing humor🤞)
I love it! More healing humor. 😆 Thank you, Bill 💕
You’re gorgeous regardless! I think your head shape is perfect. Go with whatever is the most comfortable for you. Wigs seem like they might be kind of fun, though.
Thank you darling Deanna! 💕 😘
When I cut my hair, I put it around my plants 🌱. It is supposed to keep the deer 🦌 away. It doesn’t work! I think Bill’s idea of a wig for your mitts is a better use of the hair. I think adding googly eyes would be a great idea, too.
Ohh! Googly eyes. Yes! 👀 Brilliant, Linda 🌟
Maybe if I put the googly eyes on my plants, it would keep away the deer 🦌🦌🦌👀🌵🌿🍃👀.
😆 Do it!
Hi Darcy. Loving the pictures. You look good and love your smile and sense of humor. When I lost most of my hair (they think it was due to stress) I also couldn’t see so i never saw what I looked like. It was as if I was on chemo and when my hair started to come back in it was not not the same. So in a way I know what you are going through. I continue to pray that your treatments continue to work with as little side effects as possible. Continue to improve and heal. hugs
Oh Rose! Hugs and healing kisses ✨🪷✨ to you. That was officially Too. Much. Stress. I can imagine that may have when you were working as a nurse. Do you have any pearls of wisdom to share from that experience? I’m pretty sure stress could be a contributing factor to cancer. 😬
I’m not sure I have words of wisdom back then but now I have Chloe my dog who I take for walks when I get stressed. I guess that my body was so used to working on high stress because it was only 1 week after I retired that my body fell apart. I hear that you take walks along the beach , that is so nice always watching what nature is doing that day. Hugs
Oh good! I am so glad you have a dog to walk. They can be complete joy, personified. Caninified? 🐶
Being in nature is key. My sister-in-law, Carrie, and I have been walking in different areas around here too. Those have been mostly forested, which I love too.
You have a beautiful round head.So different from when you were a baby; of course.
I so appreciate and admire your positive attitude.It appears you have a smile on your face; so nice to see!
You are an inspiration for people who suffer the same or similar ailments.
Enough praises for the day .
It is a beautiful day in south central Alaska.Bright sun and melting snow lifts my winter spirits.
Our friend Sharon can’t wait for winter to return. I ask myself; what went wrong with that beautiful, warm-hearted lady.The answer will of course for ever be a mystery.
I hope you are having a marvelous Sunday my dear sweet beautiful daughter.Dad
Hi Dad! Well. Let’s just see about this baby head shape! 😘
Love, D’Arcy
I love the blonde! Is it really true they have more fun? you are just sailing thru all this with flying colors! Yay!!
Yes, google eyes on the plants! Great idea Linda!😂
Thank you, Ellen! The blonde wig works best with my complexion. I was blonde as a young kid. I think the fun I had back then was more kid-related than blonde-related, but maybe it was a contributing factor. 🤷♀️ 😁
You’d make a darling monk, D’Arcy! I’m hoping that other symptoms are minimal and your energy levels rise. Much love and big hugs to you and Matt ❤️
Thank you my dear, Nancy! 🥰 Sifu very kindly compares me to The Ancient One, played by Tilda Swinton, in the Marvel Doctor Strange movies.