Updates About Mom: Post 3

Weekend (September 22^nd and 23^rd)

Mom was instructed by her health care team not to lift and to rest. Dad made Parfait Pancakes (with yogurt and berries) one day, and I experimented and made Chicken Tortilla Soup which will last for a couple of days. To my parent’s surprise I did learn a thing or two in “Chef’s” class. We rented some movies, took some walks around Denison and along the bike path, and watched a little TV. It was nice and restful, just like we were suppose too. I also had a chance to slip away for a little while to Athens, OH to see my friend Lauren.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Mom and Dad are a little anxious for the reason that Mom’s new treatments start today.

8:00 am

Mom, Dad, and I checked into Room #4 of the chemo wing at the hospital. This is a private room because Mom has to lie down during and after intrathecal chemotherapy; otherwise she will get a really bad headache. (This treatment is to prevent brain cancer because of the location of her tumor).

“T” took blood work, checked vitals, hooked up the IV to Mom’s port.

9:00 am

Dr. Gowda started the intrathecal chemotherapy in Mom’s spine.

10:00 am

Dixie starts the pre-chemotherapy drugs, which slowly drips into the IV that goes into Mom’s port. Dixie and “T’ are constantly in and out checking on Mom making sure she is comfortable.

11:00 am
Mom got a message from the message therapist (she thought this was so cool)

12:00 noon

Mom starts her R-CHOP chemotherapy drugs.

5:50pm Mom's done with her chemo for today, she just has to take a walk around the oncology floor and we can go home :)

Mom’s Medications

1. Intrathecal Chemotherapy (IN-truh-THEE-kul) is a treatment plan in which anticancer drugs are injected into the fluid-filled space between the thin layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord. Because the tumor is so close to the brain the doctor is doing this treatment as a preventive measure to prevent brain cancer in the future.

2. Chemotherapy Drugs - chemotherapy does not know the difference between the cancerous cells and the normal cells. Chemotherapy will kill all cells that are rapidly dividing. The normal cells will grow back and be healthy but in the meantime, side effects occur. The normal cells most commonly affected by chemotherapy are the blood cells, the cells in the mouth, stomach and bowel, and the hair follicles; resulting in low blood counts, mouth sores, nausea, diarrhea, and/or hair loss.

R-CHOP – is an acronym for chemotherapy drugs used for common types of aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas like Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL).

R – Rituximab (ri TUK si mab) - kills lymphoma cancer cells. Can cause infusion reaction.

C - Cyclophosphamide (sye-kloe-FAHS-fah-mide) – kills cancer cells. Causes nausea and fatigue.

H - Doxorubicin (or Adriamycin) - antitumor antibiotic. Causes hair loss, and decreased heart function.

O - Vincristine (Oncovin) – inhibits cell replication. Can cause neuropathy (nerve damage).

P – Prednisolone – an anti-inflammatory medication, also helps prevent allergic reactions.

The first three drugs of the CHOP chemotherapy regimen are usually given as injections or infusions in veins on a single day, while prednisolone is taken as pills for five days. Each cycle is repeated every 3 weeks for 6-8 cycles.

3. Miscellaneous Drugs Given (pre-chemo drugs)

1. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) - used to prevent airway irritation, motion sickness, and insomnia

2. Tylenol (acetaminophen) – used for pain and fever

3. Zofran - prevent nausea and vomiting

4. Compazine - control severe nausea and vomiting

5. Decadron – steroid used for swelling, heat, redness, and pain

6. Ativan - is used to relieve anxiety

Pictures

1. Mom and her nurse "T"