Post #3: Current status after first chemo treatment

Dear all,

As of 2:30 p.m. PDT June 12

Overall: Anita is home now and resting. She tolerated her first chemo-therapy treatment very well. So far, no adverse reactions. She even marshalled her resolve and strength to go out to a restaurant after the treatment and try to eat something so that John and I could get away from the "sickroom" and have a treat. So typical of Mother isn't it?!

[Unfortunately, in the middle of my typing this (@ 3:00 p.m.), she has had a bout of nausea. She is now, once again, resting and trying to sleep.]

Specific details: She started out this morning feeling very ill, more specifically, nauseated. At about 11:00 a.m., after a slight delay (there were quite a number of patients undergoing therapy this morning) , she went in for her first treatment. We discovered that the oncologist had changed the quantity of the drugs being administered to a less potent mixture. The objective is to see how well she tolerates the medications, given that this is her first treatment and given her current condition and age. If she does well, additional drugs will be added in the next treatment.

She was given the following drugs intravenously: a drug for nausea; Doxorubicin (brand names Adriamycin, Doxil, Rubex); Cyclophosphamide (brand names Cytoxan, Neosar); and Vincristine (brand names Oncovin, Vincasar). If she tolerates these drugs sufficiently well, her next treatment will include the drug Rituxan/Rituximab. Her next treatment will be in three weeks.

She has been advised to keep ahead of the nausea by taking her nausea pills every four to six hours for two days. Hair loss will occur in approximately 10 days.

Her treatment today lasted approximately one hour following prep. The oncologist came and spoke with her. She is to see him again on Monday June 18 so that he can evaluate how well she is doing. On Monday she will also undergo the first of weekly blood testing that will monitor the progress of the chemo-therapy in terms of her white blood cell count and other immuno-related conditions.

During her pre-op evaluation before her exploratory laparotomy on May 25, the doctors discovered that Anita also has a heart murmur. The oncologist has referred her for the following exams: echo exam of the heart, doppler echo exam-heart, and doppler color flow ADD-O. It is possible that she will have these exams on Monday June 18 as well, depending on scheduling.

A critical factor for her now is nutrition. She eats distressingly little and has continued to lose weight. It is essential that she get the appropriate and necessary amounts of nutrients. She also must drink at least 2 liters of water each day. We are starting her on nutrient shakes today. These will consist of soy milk, whey protein powder, a super green formula protein-mineral/veggie/juice powder concoction, and INP-6 & Inosital immune booster powder all blended with dates and/or other natural fruits and fruit juices. John and I will be monitoring her intake.

We have been informed that the remission rate for cancers of Anita's type and age can be as high as 70% depending on the individual and other factors. That is an encouraging statistic and let us all hope that she is within that 70%.

Again thanks to all of you for your continuing support and healing thoughts. It means so very much to Mother.