29. Chemo cycle #5

Tuesday September 18th I underwent my fifth treatment of chemo.  The therapy was Taxol (paclitaxel) this time (no more of that awful Adriamycin and Cytoxan).  Although there was no nausea or vomiting following the Taxol, there was A LOT more muscle and bone pain, particularly in my neck.  This is also my shameless plug to please get your flu vaccine this season because that is what the side effects of this treatment felt like- a really aggressive case of the flu.  I have a few answers to commonly asked questions concerning this vaccine:
1. The flu vaccine does not cause the flu.  It takes your immune system two weeks post vaccine to be able to adequately protect itself from the flu so it is very possible that you were exposed to the virus before getting the shot.
2. After any vaccine you may experience muscle soreness at the site of the injection, headache, or a low grade fever (symptoms less severe than the real deal).
3. Yes, the flu can take lives!  I have unfortunately witnessed this tragic fact while working in the pediatric ICU, and this occurred in children who were previously healthy, no prior medical problems.
3. Yes, last year the vaccine only covered a fraction of the existing strains of influenza virus.  The preceding year a committee tries to predict which strains to protect against in the vaccine based on statistics and relevant data.  It will unfortunately never provide 100% coverage.  Bottom line in regards to the flu- some protection is better than no protection.

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/universal-flu-shot-may-be-nearing-reality

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2018 at 6:50 AM

    Okayyyy I guesssss I will go! I am always so skeptical about getting it. But if you say it, it’s gold! Lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownOctober 4, 2018 at 6:33 PM

      Lol, you go TT! It helps if you take an Advil shortly after to help with the muscle soreness at the site of the injection.

      Delete
  2. UnknownSeptember 30, 2018 at 7:24 AM

    Thinking of you and praying for you each day. Your strength, faith, and love are incredible.

    ReplyDelete

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