Day 24 (T2.02)

By

Still doing well.  (Note you have to click read more to hear the video and see the rest of the post)

  • The drug in the pump is Doxorubicin.  Strong stuff.  "Anthracyclines work by interrupting the copying of DNA, which is necessary for cancer cell growth. This causes the cancer cells to die, slowing or stopping tumor growth. Doxorubicin interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body by inhibiting DNA synthesis and causing the production of harmful free radicals."
    • So this inhibits cell division but not just of the cancer cells.  Hair falls out, skin on my face is a bit scaly. Affects rapidly dividing cells throughout the body.
  • Some side effects. 
    • "Doxorubicin may cause serious or life-threatening heart problems at any time during your treatment or months to years after your treatment has ended." 
      • Thus the echocardiogram/ekg before starting treatment.
    • "Doxorubicin can cause a severe decrease in the number of blood cells in your bone marrow."
      • Thus the blood test before each treatment.
    • "Doxorubicin may increase your risk for developing leukemia (cancer of the white blood cells), especially when it is given in high doses or together with certain other chemotherapy medications and radiation (x-ray) therapy."
      • Will have to be on the lookout.
  • Plus the drug is red and you pee orange!

The late, great Guy Clark the music of the day.  The only time I ever saw Guy Clark in person was riding on an airplane from Nashville to DFW.  He was seated a few rows back of me.

My favorite Guy Clark Song


Quotes from Medline Plus Doxorubicin: MedlinePlus Drug Information




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 131 (T6.04)

By
Day 131 seems like a long way from the start of this journey.  The plan now is to have a PETCT scan on May 11 which will tell us the current status of the disease.  Then meet with the doctor 2 days later to discuss.   I suspect it could mean more treatment or no more treatments for now if things look good.  It could mean something like scheduled scans and treatments as necessary from now on.  Mostly speculation on my part.  I know they are going to leave the port in place for at least a year.  The doctor also mentioned the possibility of 10 days of radiation needed for my right knee.  I assume all will be revealed on the 13th.  No matter what I plan to attend graduation in person on May 14.
Read more

Day 30 (T2.08)

By
Image
Remember to click "Read More" lower right to see the full post. Another day of living the dream.  We start university classes today.  I am all remote due to not needing to be around people carrying all manner of pathogens including covid.  I will be doing a lot of zooming! Still have problems with the swollen feet.   Not getting a response from the doctor's office.  Finally got a response.  They want another echocardiogram and a doppler on my feet.  Some nausea and bone pain today. It is not as bad as the first round though, Low energy level. Not sleeping a full night is getting to me I think. I can hear the blood vessels in my head pound when my head is on the pillow.  Never knew what kinds of sounds I might hear without hair. No music today.  Although I have been listening to some. If you must have some music you might try.  Smooth stuff.
Read more

Day 34 (T2.12)

By
Image
Remember to click "Read More" lower right to see the full post. I think I may have lost track of the days but never mind. I think I am pulling up from the lowest point after the 2nd treatment. Feel a bit better today. Feet are still swollen but maybe not as much I do feel like there is a swollen lymph node on the right side of my neck. Don't know if that is cause for concern. Thought I would talk about another drug they are given me. Oncovin or actually Vincristine; " Vincristine is a member of the vinca alkaloids family of chemotherapy agents. These medications work by interfering with cell division, which leaves the tumor unable to grow and spread. Vincristine was developed from the periwinkle plant."  Vincristine (Oncovin®, Vincasar PFS®, VCR) | OncoLink "Vincristine works partly by binding to the  tubulin  protein, stopping the tubulin dimers from polymerizing to form microtubules, causing the cell to be unable to separate its  chromosomes  during t...
Read more