Day 57 | Tummy Settled, but Another Side Effect

Tummy (Somewhat) Settled

They started me on started cholestyramine Thursday, which is technically a cholesterol medicine. However, because of its effects on bile acid, it it sometimes prescribed as a treatment for IBS or things like it. 

It's a little gross - it comes in a chalk-like powder that you mix into water. It still tastes chalk-like.

....Regardless of taste, it's mostly working. My tummy feels more normal. Everything is still not in full working order, but I have a little appetite. And I can eat more than the 9 foods I was eating (Banana, White Rice, Applesauce, White Toast, White Pasta, Chicken Breast, Yogurt, Potato, Egg). 

Boring Meals - mostly chicken and white carbs:

New Meals - venturing out for salmon sushi and cooking chicken stir fry (both...with white rice) over the last few days. 

But Another Side Effect

Another day, another side effect. Yawn, I'm bored of this chemo stuff. Only 9 more weeks of active in treatment on Round 1.  

Yesterday, after yoga, I noticed red welts appearing down my leg. They feel like bruises, are hot to the touch, and range in size from .25 inches - 2 inches. I thought I bumped myself (I mean, it's quite possible), but about 10-15 appeared since the first spotting*. 

I've self diagnosed as erythema nodosum. "Erythema nodosum is a type of skin inflammation that is located in a part of the fatty layer of skin. Erythema nodosum results in reddish, painful, tender lumps most commonly located in the front of the legs below the knees." (WebMD)

The on call nurse today said I should go to urgent care if they move higher on my legs, which hasn't happened yet. I'll go to see the doctor tomorrow AM to see if my diagnosis was correct and what (if anything) we should do about it.

Here is an example:

*Yes, that was a pun. Couldn't help myself. 

Full Results of Tummy Test

I got the full results from my errrmmm...sample. Nothing's wrong with me other than chemo-ing. So, like I said about the c diff negative, good with the bad. Good that I don't have an infection. Bad that there's no imminent treatment. 

Thanks for reading - more later!!