When the rubber meets the road

 Well, the good news is I am in remission for the first time since being diagnosed nearly 8 years ago. I was to have 6 sessions of chemotherapy since beginning in July. I feel, looking back, that the 1st 1 - 3 sessions did many positive things. I no longer have high blood pressure, which they told me could improve with chemo and immunotherapy treatment. All the swelling of lymph nodes went down and all the inflammation I had in my neck, legs, feet, wrists, etc.... went down. I've lost 45 lbs, much of which was inflammation, I am certain. I lost my desire for sweets, wine, and big meals which has undoubtedly contributed to the weight loss. On the other hand, I often don't feel great and I have pretty significant neuropathy in my fingers and toes and left food. The 4th chemo session was so easy that I have joked that I wonder if they even gave me any drugs. My white blood cell count did plummet again, making it necessary for me to isolate for 10 days until it recovered. The 5th c...

 Chemo #4, after which I posted last time, I felt really good. I said to a few people, "If I didn't know better, I'd question if they even gave me chemo and immunotherapy." I didn't know if it was because I had increased my thyroid meds, gone on the anti-anxiety/anti-depressant drugs, or what. I thanked God so many times for that month or so. I felt free to live (even when I needed to isolate for 2 weeks).  I have Chemo #5 a week ago Wednesday and it has been the complete opposite. I have just felt lousy. I do a bit around the house or whatever, and then I need to lay down. I have joint pain in my hips that radiates down my thighs, especially when I try to sleep, because I sleep on my sides. I have a ton of mucous that gags me and has made me vomit (I've tried the teas, anti-mucous drugs, herbs... nothing seems to help.) I've had this before and it finally resolved but it's distressing. The neuropathy in my feet and hands is worse. I bought some balm b...