Chemo treatment

The cancer center has several recliner type chairs in a large room for patients to try to relax while receiving treatment. An hour before treatment I had to put the numbing cream on the skin above the port and cover it with saran wrap to keep it in place. The nurse cleaned the area and then stuck the IV needle into the the port (no pain). The treatment took about 3 hours. I got very sleepy about halfway into it. Patients are allowed to eat, watch tv, read, listen to music, talk...whatever. After treatment was complete the nurse removed the needle (painful, and there was a sucking sound as it came out of the port). Took antinausea meds that night and in the morning.

Next day, I went for an injection of a drug (possibly called Neulasta?) to help increase the production of white blood cells. Injection was given on the back side of my right arm, under the skin. Since the WBCs are produced in the bone marrow the main side effect of the drug is severe bone pain. A couple of days later I experienced a back ache with most of the pain in the lower back.

Chemotherapy drugs

1) Docetaxel--trade name: Taxotere

Part of a group of drugs called taxanes that affect cell mitosis. Stops the growth of cancer cells causing the cells to die.

Antinausea medication is given before the Taxotere.

Lowers blood counts (white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets).
Can lower white cell count ~~9 days after it is given causing risk of infection.

Lowers platelet counts increasing risk of bleeding.

Side effects:
-decreased WBC count
-decreased platelet count
-hair thinning or loss
-loss of appetite
-nausea
-vomiting
-nail changes
-mouth sores

2) Doxorubicin hydrochloride--trade name Adriamycin

Part of a group of drugs called anthracycline antibiotics that stop growth of cancer cells causing the cells to die.

Pretty red color which then causes urine to become red for 1-2 days.

Also lowers blood counts especially WBCs 10-14 days after drug is given. Can cause severe nausea and vomiting.

Side effects:
-lowered WBC count
-lowered platelet count
-loss of appetite
-darkening of nail beds and skin creases of hands
-hair loss
-nausea
-vomiting
-mouth sores

3) Cyclophosphamide--trade name Cytoxan

Part of a group of drugs called alkylating agents that stop the growth of cancer cells causing them to die.

Can lower blood counts especially WBC 1 to 2 weeks after drug is given.

Side effects:
-decreased WBC count
-hair loss
-nausea
-vomiting
-loss of appetite
-mouth sores
-diarrhea
-acne
-darkening of nail beds

Port-A-Cath

A device about the size of a quarter that is placed under the skin on the chest just below the clavicle (inch long incision). The catheter leads to the superior vena cava vessel of the heart. I can feel the port and the catheter under my skin. Used to administer chemo.

Port requires numbing cream before chemo so I can't feel the needle through the skin above the port.

Hospital prodedures

9/13/2012

1) MRI of brain
2) Bone scan
3) Placement of Port-a-cath (sick from anesthesia)

9/27/2012

1) Ultrasound of lymph nodes in right armpit
2) Biopsy of 2 largest lymph nodes (rather painful!)

Type

Diagnosis:

1) Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, stage 3
2) Nuclear grade 3
3) Estrogen Receptors: Positive
4) Progesterone Receptors: Positive
5) HER-2/NEU: not overexpressed (score 0)