Tuesday 22 May 2012

Half way there!

GoodBye DOXOrubicin!  Last couple weeks have been tougher as the drug accumulates in Julies body.  Nausea has been by far the worst side effect as almost daily Julie has boughts where she feels poor.  Julie has also developed Hand-Foot syndrome or Palmer-Planter Erythrodysesthesia.  Here is the medical definition of what happens:
"Following administration of chemotherapy, small amounts of drug leak out of very small blood vessels called capillaries in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.  Exposure of your hands and feet to heat as well as friction on your palms and soles increases the amount of drug in the capillaries and increases the amount of drug leakage.  This leakage of drug results in redness, tenderness, and possibly peeling of the palms and soles.  The redness, also known as palmar-plantar erythema, looks like sunburn.  The areas affected can become dry and peel, with numbness or tingling developing.  Hand-foot syndrome can be uncomfortable and can interfere with your ability to carry out normal activities. "

Getting rest is essential to keeping side effects managable.  Besides that, Julie continues to do amazing.  She continues to play ball and we hosted a a group of friends from work at our house this past Saturday where Julie was up and about, including watching the fireworks show!

The next drug DOCEtaxel is apparently a little easier, but biggest side effects are joint pain and water retension.  We are certainly looking forward to when all treatments are done, but are extremely appreciative of all the support and help we have received during this time.  Also we are always impressed with the nursing and medical staff.  In fact, Julies oncologist nurse won the Nightingale award 2 weeks ago - which is well deserved.

Half way there and remaining positive.

Mike

Monday 7 May 2012

3 down, 5 to go

Only one more application of DOXOrubicin or AC (Adriamycin PFS) as the oncologist team calls it.  Julie is still doing amazing - still up and about and maintaining her weight.  A bit more feeling of nausea this time, but managable - mouth sores were bad after dose 2, so she has switched to using Biotene 4 or 5 times a day and chewing gum seems to help (so far so good as the sores hav stayed away).  We are told this drug is the harsher of the two she will be taking, so we are looking forward to the last dose then moving onto DOCEtaxel

Julies oncology nurse won the nightingale aware this week - which is well deserved.  Roy is fantastic and makes the 3 hours at Credit Valley Hospital go by quickly.  Actually, the whole oncology team is amazing.  We have been very impressed with the medical team at Credit Valley.

Julie has lost all hair now and is starting to see her nails crack - common side effects, but still difficult to take.  I think she looks amazing!  The Nuelasta (drug to stimulate bone marrow) causes pain in bones and chest if she pushes it too hard, so we are very disciplined about getting to bed early and getting lots of rest.

Finally, Softball has started and believe it or not, Julie got a home run in the first game.  Very emotional moment - all things considered.  Some ladies are suggesting that steroids may have been helping (Julie does take a steriod for appetite) - I think it is just natural ability and some payback!

We continue to remain positive.

Mike