July 16 - BLAST OFF!

It’s Saturday morning, the day after my last interferon injection. Happy treatment end, happy birthday, happy on with life! Am SOOO pleased to be finished with interferon. Had the usual headaches, myalgia, fever and weepiness last night, all somewhat alleviated by acetaminophen every four hours, all less important knowing that this was it. Although I am tired this morning, now it ends. Have my grande bold starbucks coffee, with a very berry scone (and butter). Listening to The Tragically Hip singing “Bobcaygeon”. I may keep up this pleasing little Saturday morning ritual developed during treatment.

It’s been an interesting week, with the vertigo. As always, there are things to be gained from new experiences. Sitting for ten minutes in the morning prior to standing up helps. Peppermint aromatherapy assists with the morning nausea. Have been shuttling into work and home on the hospital shuttle bus – Phil walks me to the shuttle stop in the morning on his way to the day camp where he is a counselor – we used to walk the same path when he was a small child and I took him to school. As I look up at the fifteen year old six foot three inch man beside me, sometimes I still see the little boy as we walk. As a large portion of my work involves fine motor, as opposed to gross motor, skills, the actual working is not too bad and I can find a comfortable position and get lots done. While I’m not able to do my much loved walks to and from work, after dinner Ron and I go for a little community walk instead, giving us special time together to walk and talk, time we so often skip for other things. Yoga has moved from the morning before work on the deck, to evening before sleep on the deck. Some of the postures have been necessarily deleted, or modified. Although I miss the morning sun salutation, lying in corpse pose after stretching, looking up at the stars in the night sky, has been one of the more calming, meditative experiences I’ve ever had.

There are some things that I’ve found extremely helpful for getting through the treatment. These things may not work for everyone:

Skin:
Face wash – Lush “Angels on Bare Skin”. Since my daughter-in-law Annikka gave me some Angels a couple of months ago, I have used it religiously and ALL of the rash has cleared. Thus, I use it on any rash that comes up, on face, or elsewhere.
Body wash – Lush “The Olive Branch”, or “Skinny Dip”. The smell of Skinny Dip makes me happy.
Body Lotion – mostly Lush “Dream Cream”, but also Aveeno “Stress Relief Moisturizing Lotion” and “Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion”.
Shaving – Aveeno “Therapeutic Shave Gel”
Sun Block – everyday, applied after shower, all over, minimum 30 SPF. Reapplied to sun-exposed areas later. Wearing a hat while out in the sun.

Mouth:
Brushing teeth at least three times daily with a “sensitive” toothpaste (I use “Sensodyne”). Flossing daily. Rinsing mouth with salt and warm water. I have developed thrush twice on treatment and was prescribed “Nystatin” antifungal oral drops, which worked.

Sleep:
Aromatherapy, utilizing lavender and vetiver essential oils sprinkled on my pillowcase, rotating the two oils every few days.

Nausea:
Peppermint aromatherapy. Eating small, frequent meals.

Pain (i.e. headache, myalgia, neuropathy):
Acetaminophen.

Infection:
During treatment, I developed a sinus infection requiring antibiotics for two weeks. As well, I snorted warm water and salt. If you think you may have any type of infection, please go and see your physician – at best, it will be nothing. However, if it needs treatment, one doesn’t want to leave an infection to go wild when one’s white cell count is compromised!

Hair:
I definitely use the Nioxin products, but found when used alone, they gave my hair the consistency of straw. So, I mix them with my regular hair products.
Shampoo – Nioxin “Bionutrient Cleanser” shampoo mixed with Lush “Big” shampoo.
Conditioner – Nioxin “Scalp Therapy” hair conditioner mixed with Lush “Veganese” conditioner.
Leave in treatment – Nioxin “Bionutrient Treatment” mixed with “Implexx 33” hair repair treatment.
Other hair care suggestions – cut it – my hair looks and is way healthier since cutting to chin level. Use a wide toothed comb to comb it out when wet, do not blow dry, or use heated styling products. I wear my husband’s, or son’s, nylon dew rag head wraps at night to stop my hair from rubbing on the pillowcase and coming out. An interesting look…

Brain:
Combo treatment makes me feel like someone has taken my brain and done some new and exciting research experiments with it. Have zero idea what the ultimate purpose of such experimentation is; haven’t had much choice but to endure it. Some things have helped (not necessarily in the order listed):
Yoga
Work, work and more work
Walking
Shiatsu massage
B-complex vitamins
Avoiding high stress emotionally charged situations (whenever possible)
Blogging
Personal mantras, for me: “Let it go”, and “I yam what I yam”.
Most importantly: a strong support system. Have no idea how this would have gone without the incredible support of my family and friends. It is because of them that this has been doable.

Interestingly, I had thought that I would be so excited to get back to “how I used to be”, after treatment. The truth is, I am not the same person any more. This experience has changed me. Not a bad thing. I am looking forward to getting on with “the person I have become”, hopefully wiser (hopefully virus-free!).

Sue