Whirlwind of Information and nerves
He named 2 types of chemo -- Mitomycin (I think) and the one that folks refer to as 5FU (would someone spell that out for me). I will confirm these when I get the letter he will be sending to the Radiologist and other doctor. He is concerned for her quality of life at age 84.
He spent about 2 hours with us and was very gentle with mom. I was very impressed with him.
The oncology dept called and want mom in on Friday for an X-ray to confirm placement of... something - for radiation I think. They will get a good oncologist for us to see ASAP. We need to start radiation/chemo right away.
Mom is not in pain because she is taking the Morphine Sulfer medication. Thank goodness for that! She is in good spirits because she argues with me. She is eating.
I am again exhausted, but so very thankful to have met this doctor. I'll post more exact info once I get his letter. No doctor appts tomorrow!
I wonder if all this testing and consultation part that has been exhausting is just the calm before the storm. Is her road going to get bumpier as the treatment begins and progresses? I keep hoping she will feel better and better. Am I being like an ostrich?
Ginny
Comments
-
Good to hear...
Ginny,
You are doing great. Glad you had such a good experience-THAT is so important.
As for the road ahead, it just so depends on HOW mom handles chemo and radiation. Sounds like they are being gentle and watching for the side effects. They do light doses, it may go easier. May. Calm before during and after the storm with EC sadly is not so calm.
Sounds like radiation oncology is going to tattoo or map where to direct the radiation for mom. That's usually what they do first, like a run-through. They have a name for it I cannot remember. Like a practice session.
Keep us posted. Glad mom is still getting such good relief from the Morphine!
There are SO many questions unanswered for me....Is she HER2+?
What STAGE is she?
What is the course of treatment? Chemo and radiation? Surgery? In what order? And that's dependent on stage of course. Just wondering as I do not remember knowing this in your case yet. Many more...
I am sure William or someone will ask them in a minute! That's what I love about this board, if I can't think, someone will come along and post it! Also, you "spelled" 5FU correctly. That's how it is spelled. I forget what it stands for! My brain is shot tonight!
God bless, and may you have a really calm night.
-Eric0 -
For now NO surgery. They arechemosmoker said:Good to hear...
Ginny,
You are doing great. Glad you had such a good experience-THAT is so important.
As for the road ahead, it just so depends on HOW mom handles chemo and radiation. Sounds like they are being gentle and watching for the side effects. They do light doses, it may go easier. May. Calm before during and after the storm with EC sadly is not so calm.
Sounds like radiation oncology is going to tattoo or map where to direct the radiation for mom. That's usually what they do first, like a run-through. They have a name for it I cannot remember. Like a practice session.
Keep us posted. Glad mom is still getting such good relief from the Morphine!
There are SO many questions unanswered for me....Is she HER2+?
What STAGE is she?
What is the course of treatment? Chemo and radiation? Surgery? In what order? And that's dependent on stage of course. Just wondering as I do not remember knowing this in your case yet. Many more...
I am sure William or someone will ask them in a minute! That's what I love about this board, if I can't think, someone will come along and post it! Also, you "spelled" 5FU correctly. That's how it is spelled. I forget what it stands for! My brain is shot tonight!
God bless, and may you have a really calm night.
-Eric
For now NO surgery. They are only going to use chemo/rads. Do not know her staging. I keep forgetting to ask. Not one doc has asked either. I don't know what HER2+ means. So far she's had 2 CT scans, 1 MRI, 1 Endoscope, 1 xray, 2 sets of blood tests.
I will try to remember to ask staging. I can't even remember my name any more!0 -
Everyone has a different experience with Chemo
Ginny,
I would be less than honest if I tried to say that chemotherapy is not a challenge for anyone. But, everyone has different levels of side effects from chemotherapy. Some have an easier time than others. Your mother’s oncologist will prescribe medications over and above the chemotherapy drugs to help to deal with the side effects.
One of the big challenges for anyone going through chemotherapy, but particularly us “more mature” patients, is to get enough hydration during treatment. If you mom starts feeling exhausted; or dizzy when standing, investigate dehydration right away and get her IV hydration.
Chemocare.com is an excellent resource to research chemotherapy drugs and their possible side effects. Please note I said “possible” because not everyone gets all the potential side effects the list.
Common side effects during chemotherapy include; fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and mouth dryness and discomfort. There are medications to reduce all of these side effects if they occur.
The web site address for Chemocare.com is http://www.chemocare.com
The description for Mitomycin includes http://www.chemocare.com/bio/mitomycin.asp
______________________________________________________________________
Mitomycin (mye-toe-MYE-sin)
Trade name: Mutamycin®
Other names: Mitomycin-C, MTC
Chemocare.com uses generic names in all descriptions of drugs. Mutamycin is the trade name for mitomycin>>. MTC and Mitomycin-C are other names for mitomycin. In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade name mutamycin or other names MTC or Mitomycin-C when referring to the generic drug name mitomycin.
g type: Mitomycin is an anti-cancer ("antineoplastic" or "cytotoxic") chemotherapy drug. This medication is classified as an "antitumor antibiotic." (For more detail, see "How this drug works" section below).
What this drug is used for:
• Treatment of adenocarcinoma of the stomach or pancreas.
• Also used in treatment of anal, bladder, breast, cervical, colorectal, head and neck, and non-small cell lung cancer.
Note: If a drug has been approved for one use, physicians may elect to use this same drug for other problems if they believe it may be helpful.
How this drug is given:
• As an injection or infusion into the vein (intravenous, IV).
• Mitomycin is a vesicant. A vesicant is a chemical that causes extensive tissue damage and blistering if it escapes from the vein. The nurse or doctor who gives this drug must be carefully trained. If you notice redness or swelling at the IV site while you are receiving mitomycin, alert your health care professional immediately.
• As an intravesicle infusion to treat superficial bladder cancer (cancer on the surface of the bladder wall). This means it is given directly into the bladder through a urinary catheter. The urinary catheter is inserted through the urethra (the tube which carries urine from the bladder to the outside the body). The mitomycin solution is injected into the catheter, which is then removed. Normal walking around helps to disperse the medication throughout the bladder. The medication is left in for about 2 hours, after which the patient then empties the bladder (urinates).
• There is no pill form of mitomycin.
• The amount of mitomycin that you will receive depends on many factors, including your height and weight, your general health or other health problems, and the type of cancer or condition being treated. Your doctor will determine your dose, schedule, and the method it will be given.
Side effects:
Important things to remember about the side effects of mitomycin:
• Most people do not experience all of the side effects listed.
• Side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration.
• Side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete.
• There are many options to help minimize or prevent side effects.
• There is no relationship between the presence or severity of side effects and the effectiveness of the medication.
• The side effects of mitomycin and their severity depend on how much of the drug is given, and how it is given. In other words, high doses may produce more severe side effects, or if it is given directly into the bladder the side effects will be localized to the bladder.
The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking mitomycin:
• Low blood counts. Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease. This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding. The nadir counts are delayed with this drug.
Nadir: Meaning low point, nadir is the point in time between chemotherapy cycles in which you experience low blood counts.
Onset: 3 weeks
Nadir: 4-6 weeks
Recovery: 6-8 weeks
• Mouth sores
• Poor appetite
• Fatigue
________________________________________________________________________
The description for 5-FU includes http://www.chemocare.com/bio/fu.asp
5-FU
Generic name: Fluorouracil
Trade name: Adrucil®
Other names: 5-fluorouracil
Chemocare.com uses generic names in all descriptions of drugs. Adrucil is the trade name for Fluorouracil. 5-fluorouracil and 5-FU are other names for Fluorouracil. In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade name Adrucil or other names 5-fluorouracil and 5-FU when referring to the generic drug name Fluorouracil.
Drug type: 5-FU is an anti-cancer ("antineoplastic" or "cytotoxic") chemotherapy drug. This medication is classified as an "antimetabolite." (For more detail, see "How this drug works" section below).
What 5-FU is used for:
• Colon and rectal cancer.
• Breast cancer.
• Gastrointestinal cancers including: anal, esphageal, pancreas and gastric (stomach).
• Head and neck cancer
* Hepatoma (liver cancer).
• Ovarian cancer.
• Topical use (cream or solution) in basal cell cancer of the skin and actinic keratoses. -see document fluorouracil(cream).
•
Note: If a drug has been approved for one use, physicians may elect to use this same drug for other problems if they believe it may be helpful.
How 5-FU is given:
• As an injection into the vein (intravenous or IV), or as an infusion. The amount of time and schedule of infusion varies depending on a specific protocol, it may be given over several hours to several weeks.
• As a topical ointment, a thin coating is applied to the affected skin lesions twice a day, treatment may continue over several weeks. (see document fluorouracil(cream).
• The amount of 5-FU that you will receive depends on many factors, including your height and weight, your general health or other health problems, and the type of cancer or condition being treated. Your doctor will determine your dose and schedule.
•
Side effects of 5-FU:
Important things to remember about the side effects of 5-FU:
• Most people do not experience all of the side effects listed.
• Side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration.
• Side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete.
• There are many options to help minimize or prevent side effects.
• There is no relationship between the presence or severity of side effects and the effectiveness of the medication.
• The side effects of 5-FU and their severity depend a variety of factors including dosage, the individual's metabolism, other drugs given as part of a combination therapy, and/or the schedule and duration of treatment.
The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking 5-FU:
• Diarrhea.
• Nausea and possible occasional vomiting.
• Mouth sores.
• Poor appetite.
• Watery eyes, sensitivity to light (photophobia) (see eye problems).
• Taste changes, metallic taste in mouth during infusion.
• Discoloration along vein through which the medication is given.
• Low blood counts. Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease. This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding.
•
Nadir: Meaning low point, nadir is the point in time between chemotherapy cycles in which you experience low blood counts.
Onset: 7-10 days
Nadir: 9-14 days
Recovery: 21-28 days
____________________________________________________________________________________________
I know the list of side effects can be daunting but please remember that not all patients get all the side effects and they can be managed with other medications and by varying the dosage of the chemotherapy drugs.
Your mom is fortunate to have a strong advocate like you. She will need your support and patience as she goes forward on her journey.
I hope things go well for both of you.
Best Regards,
Paul Adams
McCormick, South Carolina
DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
3/14/2011 CT Scan NED
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!0 -
Given this information, Ipaul61 said:Everyone has a different experience with Chemo
Ginny,
I would be less than honest if I tried to say that chemotherapy is not a challenge for anyone. But, everyone has different levels of side effects from chemotherapy. Some have an easier time than others. Your mother’s oncologist will prescribe medications over and above the chemotherapy drugs to help to deal with the side effects.
One of the big challenges for anyone going through chemotherapy, but particularly us “more mature” patients, is to get enough hydration during treatment. If you mom starts feeling exhausted; or dizzy when standing, investigate dehydration right away and get her IV hydration.
Chemocare.com is an excellent resource to research chemotherapy drugs and their possible side effects. Please note I said “possible” because not everyone gets all the potential side effects the list.
Common side effects during chemotherapy include; fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and mouth dryness and discomfort. There are medications to reduce all of these side effects if they occur.
The web site address for Chemocare.com is http://www.chemocare.com
The description for Mitomycin includes http://www.chemocare.com/bio/mitomycin.asp
______________________________________________________________________
Mitomycin (mye-toe-MYE-sin)
Trade name: Mutamycin®
Other names: Mitomycin-C, MTC
Chemocare.com uses generic names in all descriptions of drugs. Mutamycin is the trade name for mitomycin>>. MTC and Mitomycin-C are other names for mitomycin. In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade name mutamycin or other names MTC or Mitomycin-C when referring to the generic drug name mitomycin.
g type: Mitomycin is an anti-cancer ("antineoplastic" or "cytotoxic") chemotherapy drug. This medication is classified as an "antitumor antibiotic." (For more detail, see "How this drug works" section below).
What this drug is used for:
• Treatment of adenocarcinoma of the stomach or pancreas.
• Also used in treatment of anal, bladder, breast, cervical, colorectal, head and neck, and non-small cell lung cancer.
Note: If a drug has been approved for one use, physicians may elect to use this same drug for other problems if they believe it may be helpful.
How this drug is given:
• As an injection or infusion into the vein (intravenous, IV).
• Mitomycin is a vesicant. A vesicant is a chemical that causes extensive tissue damage and blistering if it escapes from the vein. The nurse or doctor who gives this drug must be carefully trained. If you notice redness or swelling at the IV site while you are receiving mitomycin, alert your health care professional immediately.
• As an intravesicle infusion to treat superficial bladder cancer (cancer on the surface of the bladder wall). This means it is given directly into the bladder through a urinary catheter. The urinary catheter is inserted through the urethra (the tube which carries urine from the bladder to the outside the body). The mitomycin solution is injected into the catheter, which is then removed. Normal walking around helps to disperse the medication throughout the bladder. The medication is left in for about 2 hours, after which the patient then empties the bladder (urinates).
• There is no pill form of mitomycin.
• The amount of mitomycin that you will receive depends on many factors, including your height and weight, your general health or other health problems, and the type of cancer or condition being treated. Your doctor will determine your dose, schedule, and the method it will be given.
Side effects:
Important things to remember about the side effects of mitomycin:
• Most people do not experience all of the side effects listed.
• Side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration.
• Side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete.
• There are many options to help minimize or prevent side effects.
• There is no relationship between the presence or severity of side effects and the effectiveness of the medication.
• The side effects of mitomycin and their severity depend on how much of the drug is given, and how it is given. In other words, high doses may produce more severe side effects, or if it is given directly into the bladder the side effects will be localized to the bladder.
The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking mitomycin:
• Low blood counts. Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease. This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding. The nadir counts are delayed with this drug.
Nadir: Meaning low point, nadir is the point in time between chemotherapy cycles in which you experience low blood counts.
Onset: 3 weeks
Nadir: 4-6 weeks
Recovery: 6-8 weeks
• Mouth sores
• Poor appetite
• Fatigue
________________________________________________________________________
The description for 5-FU includes http://www.chemocare.com/bio/fu.asp
5-FU
Generic name: Fluorouracil
Trade name: Adrucil®
Other names: 5-fluorouracil
Chemocare.com uses generic names in all descriptions of drugs. Adrucil is the trade name for Fluorouracil. 5-fluorouracil and 5-FU are other names for Fluorouracil. In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade name Adrucil or other names 5-fluorouracil and 5-FU when referring to the generic drug name Fluorouracil.
Drug type: 5-FU is an anti-cancer ("antineoplastic" or "cytotoxic") chemotherapy drug. This medication is classified as an "antimetabolite." (For more detail, see "How this drug works" section below).
What 5-FU is used for:
• Colon and rectal cancer.
• Breast cancer.
• Gastrointestinal cancers including: anal, esphageal, pancreas and gastric (stomach).
• Head and neck cancer
* Hepatoma (liver cancer).
• Ovarian cancer.
• Topical use (cream or solution) in basal cell cancer of the skin and actinic keratoses. -see document fluorouracil(cream).
•
Note: If a drug has been approved for one use, physicians may elect to use this same drug for other problems if they believe it may be helpful.
How 5-FU is given:
• As an injection into the vein (intravenous or IV), or as an infusion. The amount of time and schedule of infusion varies depending on a specific protocol, it may be given over several hours to several weeks.
• As a topical ointment, a thin coating is applied to the affected skin lesions twice a day, treatment may continue over several weeks. (see document fluorouracil(cream).
• The amount of 5-FU that you will receive depends on many factors, including your height and weight, your general health or other health problems, and the type of cancer or condition being treated. Your doctor will determine your dose and schedule.
•
Side effects of 5-FU:
Important things to remember about the side effects of 5-FU:
• Most people do not experience all of the side effects listed.
• Side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration.
• Side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete.
• There are many options to help minimize or prevent side effects.
• There is no relationship between the presence or severity of side effects and the effectiveness of the medication.
• The side effects of 5-FU and their severity depend a variety of factors including dosage, the individual's metabolism, other drugs given as part of a combination therapy, and/or the schedule and duration of treatment.
The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking 5-FU:
• Diarrhea.
• Nausea and possible occasional vomiting.
• Mouth sores.
• Poor appetite.
• Watery eyes, sensitivity to light (photophobia) (see eye problems).
• Taste changes, metallic taste in mouth during infusion.
• Discoloration along vein through which the medication is given.
• Low blood counts. Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease. This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding.
•
Nadir: Meaning low point, nadir is the point in time between chemotherapy cycles in which you experience low blood counts.
Onset: 7-10 days
Nadir: 9-14 days
Recovery: 21-28 days
____________________________________________________________________________________________
I know the list of side effects can be daunting but please remember that not all patients get all the side effects and they can be managed with other medications and by varying the dosage of the chemotherapy drugs.
Your mom is fortunate to have a strong advocate like you. She will need your support and patience as she goes forward on her journey.
I hope things go well for both of you.
Best Regards,
Paul Adams
McCormick, South Carolina
DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
3/14/2011 CT Scan NED
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
Given this information, I surely hope the dose is really low for mom!0
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