Chemotherapy Treatments
Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true STRENGTH!" ~anonymous
February 7, 2005
During my debulking surgery-90 minute chemo abdomen wash
~ Dr. Paul Sugarbaker in Washington, D.C.
February 12, 2005
Carboplatinum and Gemzar (once a week for three weeks with one week off)
June 2005
After my lymph nodes begin to grow, a CT scan revealed "shading" in my abdomen a new chemotherapy regime began.
This is an alternating 21 day cycle that begins with #1 cycle. After 21 days from #1 cycle, #2 cycle is given. This repeated process is expected to last approximately 12 months or 17 cycles.
Cycle #1 Ifosfamide(1 gm), Etoposide(100mg), Ativan (2mg), Mesna (200 mg), Kytril (100mcg). I receive this regimen each day for 4 days as an outpatient. I also receive Aranesp and Neulasta.
|
Ifosfamide and Etoposide |
chemotherapy drugs |
|
Mesna |
used to reduce the harmful effects of some cancer medicines on the bladder |
|
Ativan and Kytril |
are used together for anti-nausea. I try to only use 1mg of Ativan because it makes me "loopy", however if I begin to feel nauseous I will take the other 1mg |
|
Aranesp |
used for my red cell count. I receive this shot every two weeks to help keep my levels up |
|
Neulasta |
used for my white cell count and I receive this shot the day after finishing my four day treatment |
Cycle #2 Vincristine (2mg), Adriamycin aka"the KoolAid"(10 mg), Cytoxan (100mg), Ativan (2mg), and Aloxi (25 mcg). I receive this regimen in one day. I also receive a Aranesp and Neulasta.
|
Vincristine, Adriamycin, and Cytoxan |
the chemotherapy drugs |
|
Ativan and Aloxi |
used together for anti-nausea. I try to only use 1mg of Ativan (see Cycle #1) |
|
Aranesp and Neulasta |
see Cycle #1 |
July 2005
After 3 cycles of my new chemo regimen, my largest lymph node (+3.5cm) has shrunk to half its size (1.5 cm)
September 2005
CT Scan taken after 4 cycles of chemo, the enlarged lymph nodes in the abdomen have shrunk by at least 30%, the fluid sack on the outside of my lung is completely gone, and the lymph node on my neck is a little less than 1.3cm!
October 2005
Dirty Harry is the size of a pea! The past two cycles of chemo have been a little more difficult to recover from than in the past. I'm starting to think that maybe Dr. H is right and that I probably need to cut back-just a little- on my physical activities...aka running. We will see!
January 2006
CT scan showed that Dirty Harry is no longer in my lymph nodes, and everything else looks fantastic! I still have a small 3 cm cyst (filled with fluid) on my bladder but the Drs are confident that will be gone by the next CT in 3 months!
I am not a medical or health professional. Information in this site has been gathered from numerous sources and is for research purposes only. I do not guarantee the accuracy of any information in this site.