To Have Side Effects or Not To Have Side Effects...

I think I was pretty lucky in terms of side effects. I didn't get as many as other people have gotten. Don't get me wrong. I did have (and am still enduring) side effects that you just can't escape.  But all in all, it wasn't as bad as it could have been. And I like to focus on the positive, so below is a lil list of all the side effects/symptoms I didn't get.

I did not lose all my hair. I actually kept a pretty good layer on the old noggin. I did choose to shave my head once it starting coming out though because I did not know how much I'd lose. I don't regret it at all. It was actually one of the most liberating things I've ever done and for the first time in my life, thought I was beautiful when I looked in the mirror. I also didn't lose all my brows or lashes. Now my doctor did tell me after chemo is done, you can still lose them so there is still a chance. But I made it through chemo without losing them. I still even have a tiny bit of hair on my legs. It has looked like the day after I shave my legs since February. It never fell out totally, but it did stop growing.

I did not become anemic. It is a common side effect of chemo that happens towards the end. Not only did I not become anemic, but my red blood cell count stayed pretty high.

I never puked. I did get a bit nauseous, but never tossed my cookies. And when I felt the nausea come on, I would pop an anti-nausea pill and it would go away

I never got sick or an infection. However, that may have been because I obsessively washed my hands and used hand sanitizer. John also changed the kitty litter and took out the trash so I wasn't exposed to any bacteria. I also was very careful about being in crowded places. If I saw someone even sneeze, I'd turn the other way. Nulasta also played a big part.

My nails didn't fall off or turn brown. They actually pretty much stayed the same. They got a tiny bit sore, but that's all she wrote.

While I did get an icky tounge and mouth, I never got mouth sores.

My skin did not get overly dry. It did get a bit dry, but nothing a lil lotion couldn't fix. My skin actually got softer, especially on my face.

And since I like to end on a high note, the greatest side effect that I did not get....wait for it...I did not get constipated. Enjoy your day.