shedding and other side effects

Hi everyone.  Been feeling very tired the past few weeks.  I think part of it might be a minor cold but I know some of it is due to the bad sleep I've been getting since being on the anti-depression (also anti-nausea) pills the psychiatrist prescribed.  The ironic thing about the drug is that it was supposed to help me sleep and indeed it makes me tired but it also makes me have weird dreams that end up leading to a crappy nights sleep.  I had an appointment with the shrink on Friday and we agreed I could/should stop taking it.

The other problem with sleep has to do with my inability to control my body temp.  I wake up several times in a night (or even during a nap) and I'm saturated with cold sweat.  As are the sheets and pillow cases.  For some reason, when I nap on the couch downstairs I do not have this problem (at least not nearly to this extent) so last night I decided to try sleeping on the couch and I was dry all night for the first time in a while.

On the opposite side of the body temperature issue is how cold I get when I stand up after having been sitting for any period of time (or when I get up from bed).  Within 15 seconds of getting up I am shivering like it's below freezing in the house.  My body does warm up after a minute or so of shivering so it's not a major issue but I do find it odd.

Finally, in side effects updates, I have begun to lose my hair.  My doctor had told me the new chemo drug would cause this but for some reason it didn't start until two weeks after the dose so I had kind of forgotten until yesterday I woke from a very damp nap and noticed tons of little hairs on the pillow.  If I brush my hand over the top of my head the hairs just fall like snowflakes.  I wonder how long it will take to fall out completely?  Just like finding out how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop, I may never find out because I will probably shave it rather that deal with hairs falling down my back and being all itchy.

Now, after four paragraphs of complaints, I want to make sure you don't think I'm all down in the dumps because generally speaking I'm pretty content most days.  True I can't get around as well or even as much as I would like but we've got about a week of warm Autumn temps coming (and a break from the rain) and that typically inspires me to get out and at least go for a short walk or even bike ride.  Additionally, there's the big zoo walk next weekend.  Team Martini has really come together and generated more than $1200 in donations - and there's still time to give if you meant to but didn't quite get around to it.  Can't wait to see everyone who's coming out for the day and I'm excited to see the zoo, too. 

That's all for now - take care!