I don't sleep very well since being diagnosed with leukaemia. Actually the truth is more that I don't sleep for very long. I fall asleep quite easily, but wake up frequently (since the two December treatments with methotrexate usually to use the bathroom) and so now rarely sleep for longer than 3.5 hours at a stretch and often only 2 - 3 hours. I also frequently wake at around 6am and lie awake wondering whether I should get up, since I can't easily fall asleep again in the morning much as I would love to.
The power of sleep is much underestimated. When I came home from hospital just before Christmas I was exhausted. But after a few days' even patchy sleep in my own bed I felt much more human and able to cope with the other residual side-effects.
I realise now that I didn't appreciate enough the ability to sleep for a rejuvenating 6 or 7 hours while I could do it. So, if you are still able to enjoy a long period of sleep, enjoy it!
I'm wondering what the side-effects of the new drug I am having tomorrow will be...
It's funny how they say that having kids is bad for sleep. I used to sleep 5-6 hours a night. Since having kids I usually fall asleep before them while mumbling an exhausted good night story at 9 and I get up with them at 7, giving me... 10 hours sleep almost every night. And I'm still exhausted. Although I doubt I'll sleep too well tonight after the delicious cheese fondue I made. Possibly the one thing whose side effects are worse then chemo.... Good luck, we're thinking of you!!
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