Four down....Goodbye Adriamycin-Cytoxan, Hello Taxol

Today Myra completed the first half of her ACT chemotherapy regimen and is now moving on to Taxol. Dr. H told us today that many people say this first part, the Adriamycin-Cytoxan can be the most grueling part though he reiterated that everyone is different. He told us about Taxol and that it makes you feel achey and like the flu but is not what makes your hair fall out and should be somewhat easier.


Myra told the doctor that it took longer from her to recover from the last treatment and he said 'Just wait until this week!'. He reminded us about how compounding the cumulative effect of this is. So, Myra just needs to get through the next two weeks' impact of the AC and then on to Taxol!!


Some good news! Myra no longer has to administer the nulasta shot (which if you recall is part of the awful bone pain caused by the bone marrow production!) but now she will take 5 decadron tablets the night before and morning of each treatment. The nurse suggested she take them with an ambien or tylenol pm the night before to help her sleep since it can make you a little edgy/jittery.


I also heard from a dear friend that they give you Benadryl with the Taxol and so you are sleepy and not fit to drive afterwards. The Taxol will take about 3+ hours to administer after the 45 minutes pre-work so the chemo sessions themselves will be considerably longer.

Taxol Side Effects: decrease of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, allergic-like reaction, numbness and/or tingling to fingers and toes, muscle aches, bone pain, mouth sores, hair loss, diarrhea.


Sounds great eh?


We asked Dr. H about the NYT article (cited in an earlier post 2/12/09) about the clinical trial using the drug Zometa to reduce cancer recurrence and metastases. He was so proud when he told us that it is in clinical trial and is already a part of Myra's future regimen and that they were one of the very first places to trial it. Boy did that give Myra a sense of confidence.


Here is Myra with her buddy.




Finally, Myra and I were looking at catalogs together contemplating wigs and hair coverings. Dr. H said that by the time she had picked one out, her hair would be coming back in. Patty, a nurse who had been tending to Myra said, "OH Myra! You are our poster child in regards to chemo and how well you look." That made Myra's day!


This reporter is happy to tell you that Myra still has her faith, her spirit and definitely her sense of humor.


Myra loves to read this blog in reverse chronological order to see how much progress she has made so please keep those comments, stories and photos coming.


Humbly yours,
Robin