In short order, thanks to the compassion and expertise of my oncology team…
… as well as the marvels of modern pharmacology—many of my symptoms were quickly alleviated… with pain killers, anti-inflammatories, anti-nausea meds, and appetite stimulants.
I quickly recovered enough energy to function kind of sort of.
And in just a matter of days, the palpable lymph nodes in my groin, armpits, and neck decreased measurably.
The problem, though, is that all those other horrible symptoms—the reflux, taste distortion, loss of appetite, general malaise, and swollen leg—persisted, some getting worse. As did the back, pelvic, and leg pain.
Off the charts. Unable to walk or sleep. So intense that even the opioids could no longer do the job. I thought I knew what pain level 10 was before. I was wrong.