Family Turkey Trot

Why Chemo

10-14-2014

 I have been back and forth wondering why or if this all so sickening Chemo drug approach is the best why to treat my cancer. My Aunt has breast cancer and has fought it holistically with great success. This required a very strict diet, a long stay at a special health center and coffee enemas. As a single mother I could not leave home for any length of time, and the cost of this would also be expensive. Raising kids and trying to eat green is pretty tough alone without having questions as to whether I could rid myself altogether. So, I decided that I could not take any chances, and Dr. Sweetenham (who is really sweet) was very confident that Chemo would kill any cancer in my body, and assured me that I could live a healthy normal life again. This is what I wanted to hear and so the research process began.

Chemotherapy was first developed at the beginning of the 20th century, although it was not originally intended as a cancer treatment. During World War II, it was discovered that people exposed to nitrogen mustard developed significantly reduced white blood cell counts. This finding led researchers to investigate whether mustard agents could be used to halt the growth of rapidly dividing cells such as cancer cells.

In the 1940s, two prominent Yale pharmacologists, Alfred Gilman and Louis Goodman examined the therapeutic effects of mustard agents in treating lymphoma. First, they established lymphomas in mice and showed that the tumors could be treated with mustard agents. Then, together with a thoracic surgeon called Gustav Linskog, they injected a less volatile form of mustard gas called mustine (nitrogen mustard) into a patient who had nonHodgkin's lymphoma.

The scientists found that the patients tumour masses were significantly reduced for a few weeks after treatment and although the patient had to return to receive more chemotherapy, this marked the beginning of the use of cytotoxic agents for the treatment of cancer. The initial study was done in 1943 and the results were published in 1946. This was all very interesting and I found that my nurses were in fact very informed. This video is one of our conversations during the Vincristine chemo drug push which has to be done with extreme caution.

The Chemo regimen that I am on is called R-CHOP (CHOP+Rituximab). This includes: Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin (Hydroxyl daunorubicin), Vincristine (Oncovin), and Prednisone. Combinations are more effective against cancer than single medication alone. Each one is given through an IV on a slow drip which can take up to 6 hours depending on how your body responds to each drug.

Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody. Most people do not experience to many side effects but can including: weakness, nausea, headache, cough, runny nose (thank you Scott and Melissa for all of the tissues), shortness of breath, and sinusitis.

Cyclophosphamide is an anti-cancer ("antieoplastic" or "cytotoxic") chemotherapy drug which can cause nausea and vomiting, poor appetite, loss of fertility, mouth sores, bladder irritation and bleeding, discoloration of the skin and nails, and diarrhea. Recovery time is 21 days.

Doxorubicin is an anti-cancer chemotherapy drug given by intravenous injection. Side effects are pain along the site where the medication was given, nausea and vomiting. Low blood counts are also a big concern increasing the risk for infection, anemia and bleeding.

Vincristine is an anti-cancer chemotherapy drug given by intravenous injection. Extreme caution is given when administering because it can cause extensive tissue damage and blistering if it escapes from the vein. The nurse or doctor who gives vincristine must be carefully trained to administer this drug.  Side effects can be Abdominal cramps, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, diarrhea. loss of appetite, and taste changes (I hate this one).

Prednisone has many uses in the treatment of cancer. It is an anti-inflammatory medication that can prevent allergic reactions. It also treats autoimmune diseases, skin conditions, asthma and other lung conditions. Side effects are increased appetite, irritability, difficult sleeping (I concur) nausea, heartburn, and impaired wound healing. My kids love this one because it makes me want to clean.

There is also Benedrahl, tylenol, and various other remedy drugs to mask the side effects of Chemo. I have a pharmacy of drugs in my cupboard that I would love to get rid of. But it is these discoveries that has made the Chemo process more tolerable then ever before. I've got to hand it to the those people willing to do phase one clinical trials, knowing that it might not benefit them but the many who would follow.

Over decades, combination chemotherapy regimens gain popularity. The concurrent use of drug mechanisms for action has lead to further improvements in patient survival and to the decline in mortality rates, which have declined every year from 1990 until now. This fall in death rates is due to both early detection and treatment with chemotherapy agents. 

I hope none of you ever have to face cancer, but the with increasing numbers it is likely that someone you know will. The unexpected journey of cancer often brings exhausting emotional challenges, but the team support to fetch the week's groceries or cook meals, a willing individual to coordinate doctor appointments, or maybe just a hand-written note to say hello has made the journey much more bearable. Thank you to all who have lent a hand, sent a card and had me in your prayers.