It's been officially 6 days since I've started my new treatment regimen, taking the daily pill Xalkori twice per day. And within the first 2 days taking it, all I have to say is, OMG-(Oh my goodness), the side effects hit me pretty quickly. Granted, it's not chemo infusions, but technically, it is still a form of chemo in a way, but in a pill form. So far, I've experience ALL the major side effects being on it as my Dr. warned me about.
Some of the known side effects that I have experienced are:
Carpool buddy
As for the vision problems, that is little bothersome, but it's not so bad as it only occurs in the morning and at night when the light changes. As far as driving goes, my Dr said it should not effect my driving ability and that it is safe for me to drive. Fortunately even before I started taking this Xalkori pill on Wednesday, luckily, while having lunch with a coworker on Monday, Sept, 24, my coworker asked me about carpooling to work since we live practically less than .5 miles from one another.
So after that lunch discussion, we immediately started to carpool the next workday. So far, we've carpooled to and from work for 1 week already and it's great! And, my coworker offered to drive from now on too since his car is smaller and gets better gas mileage. So cool. I love it. No longer now do I have to drive, sit in traffic for over 1 hour to rushed into work every morning and I get personal pick ups and drop offs right at my house everyday, 4 days per week (I work from home on Wednesdays). This is perfect! Especially now that I have sensitivity to light and changes to my vision with this drug, this works out wonderful. And yes, to be fair, I do help contribute towards some gas money, but its nominal. Hurray for carpool. What's also cool about carpooling is that it benefits the environment; with reducing emissions. Furthermore, another plus is that I get to be home a little earlier too since we can utilize the carpool lane. What a concept. Good deal. I hope we can keep this carpool arrangement going for a long time.
So far I'm getting used to this pill regimen and I think it's starting to help...but perhaps it's too early to tell. Keeping up my daily wishes that it will do a miracle for me.
Moon Festival
Other than the usual business with work and kids, I was able to help my family/parents resolve some difficult personal, financial matters (by staying up late every night this past week, until the wee hours), researching, reading and gathering info and emailing with my advice) and I'm happy to say that I was able to help them out. And the solutions we've came up with are getting resolved, but more work for me to do too to continue help out.
As for family time, last weekend and this weekend, the kids and I were happy to celebrate and attend some Moon or Mid-Autumn festivities with friends. The kids had a blast, getting their faces hand painted with little characters, winning prizes while playing some fun kid carnival games, seeing the lion dance, getting moon lanterns and spending time together as a family. And of course, on Saturdays, the girls love to attend their dance classes and Ethan is doing so well with his soccer. He loves playing soccer and is good at it. I'm glad he likes it as it's great physical exercise. Happy Mid-Autumn everyone. Cheers! Lots of Love.
Some of the known side effects that I have experienced are:
- Vision problems (Blurred vision, double vision or increased sensitivity to light)
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Decreased appetite
- Dizziness
- Increased liver enzymes (at least I feel my liver working a bit harder)
- Numbness or tingling in extremities
- Taste changes
- Heartburn
Carpool buddy
As for the vision problems, that is little bothersome, but it's not so bad as it only occurs in the morning and at night when the light changes. As far as driving goes, my Dr said it should not effect my driving ability and that it is safe for me to drive. Fortunately even before I started taking this Xalkori pill on Wednesday, luckily, while having lunch with a coworker on Monday, Sept, 24, my coworker asked me about carpooling to work since we live practically less than .5 miles from one another.
So after that lunch discussion, we immediately started to carpool the next workday. So far, we've carpooled to and from work for 1 week already and it's great! And, my coworker offered to drive from now on too since his car is smaller and gets better gas mileage. So cool. I love it. No longer now do I have to drive, sit in traffic for over 1 hour to rushed into work every morning and I get personal pick ups and drop offs right at my house everyday, 4 days per week (I work from home on Wednesdays). This is perfect! Especially now that I have sensitivity to light and changes to my vision with this drug, this works out wonderful. And yes, to be fair, I do help contribute towards some gas money, but its nominal. Hurray for carpool. What's also cool about carpooling is that it benefits the environment; with reducing emissions. Furthermore, another plus is that I get to be home a little earlier too since we can utilize the carpool lane. What a concept. Good deal. I hope we can keep this carpool arrangement going for a long time.
So far I'm getting used to this pill regimen and I think it's starting to help...but perhaps it's too early to tell. Keeping up my daily wishes that it will do a miracle for me.
Moon Festival
Other than the usual business with work and kids, I was able to help my family/parents resolve some difficult personal, financial matters (by staying up late every night this past week, until the wee hours), researching, reading and gathering info and emailing with my advice) and I'm happy to say that I was able to help them out. And the solutions we've came up with are getting resolved, but more work for me to do too to continue help out.
As for family time, last weekend and this weekend, the kids and I were happy to celebrate and attend some Moon or Mid-Autumn festivities with friends. The kids had a blast, getting their faces hand painted with little characters, winning prizes while playing some fun kid carnival games, seeing the lion dance, getting moon lanterns and spending time together as a family. And of course, on Saturdays, the girls love to attend their dance classes and Ethan is doing so well with his soccer. He loves playing soccer and is good at it. I'm glad he likes it as it's great physical exercise. Happy Mid-Autumn everyone. Cheers! Lots of Love.
Wow! It sounds like that those symptoms hit you hard. I hope those are to be expected and that they will dissipate soon...
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that your carpooling is helping you out!
That's nice that you're helping out your fam with those issues mentioned. I just wish it didn't stress you out. You already have a lot of things going on. This is yet another testament to your strength & endurance.