What Comes Next...

Mom had her last treatment of Radiation yesterday, so we are happy that's over because we are closer to her recovery. She has been very positive through the entire process and we are all so proud of her, the strength she has and the good faith she has kept thus far. The next step is to start chemo on Thursday once every three weeks; since her cancer is stage 4 she will be given systemic chemo so that it reaches all the other parts of her body that were affected.

Thanks to Silvia and her careful note-taking we have some details what Mom will be getting in the coming weeks:

• Chemotherapy - Pemetrexed (Altima) 15 min drip and Carboplatin (Paraplatin) 45-60 min drip - given IV over 2 to 3 hours in the clinic, once per three weeks.
• After the second cycle, a repeat CT scan will be done to see if the treatment is working (i.e. tumor shrinkage)
• These drugs are less toxic agent than others and are effective
• In order to start this, Phyllis had to receive a Vitamin B12 shot and start taking folic acid.
• The drug kills cancerous cells, but also hits the bone marrow. So, the B12/folic acid helps the bone marrow. The B12 takes a week to be effective. Hence, the soonest start date is Thursday 8/1/13 at 8 AM.
• Phyllis will also take a steroid orally on Wed, Thurs (day of therapy) and Friday. This will help the drug be absorbed more readily by the cancerous cells.
• Phyllis had her baseline blood counts. All looked within normal limits, a tad on the low side for Hemoglobin and Hematocrit.
• Side effects (not everyone gets these)
• Early:
• nausea - medication will be given to help curtail this. Along with the chemotherapeutic drugs, Phyllis will receive a 'medical mix' to help combat certain symptoms.
• allergic reaction - rash, breathing, pain
• fatigue
• Later (7-14 days post treatment):
• The drug will hit the bone marrow (bone marrow suppression) and potential side effects include lowering of the WBC's (helps fight infections) and of the platelets (involved with blood clotting). Blood tests will be done periodically to monitor cell counts (a CBC)
• mouth sores
• numbness, tingling sensation to finger tips and feet (nerves may be affected)
• Dr. Huberman mentioned several medicines that would be available to Phyllis to help with any side effects. Some of these will be in the medical mix given prior to the chemo drug.
• She will also be given a medication to help combat osteoporosis. When the bone and surrounding bone tissue have cancerous cells/lesions growing, the bone becomes more fragile. This medication (I did not get the name) will help strengthen the bone.
• Phyllis needs to wear her neck brace riding in the car or if her body gets bounced around unexpectedly. She is fine without it at home while resting.

Thanks Silvia!

Mom and Dad are in New Hampshire right now relaxing, they drove up Thursday night. Mom has been in a lot of pain, but they said the pain would get worse before it got better. She has been very tired from radiation, but she is very strong and as long as she eats well, sleeps well, drinks plenty of water and spends time with family she will do fine with chemo and the rest of this process. The doctors were more than approving when she mentioned going to New Hampshire because she is supposed to do things that make her happy. Silvia drove up last night. I talked to Mom last night and she said if she drinks anymore water she'll float down the river then laughed, well at least she's still in high spirits! 

If anyone would like to send Mom a message, feel free to leave a comment below! :)