March 25, 2008

New Chemo Treatments

Dear Friends & Family,

I wanted to let everyone know how Evan was doing on the new chemotherapy. He had his first dose two weeks ago (Tuesday, March 11th), and his second dose today (Tuesday, March 25th).

The first treatment took forever because they administer the first dose very slowly, just in case you have a strong reaction to it. From start to finish, Evan was there for about 5 hours. It made him extremely tired and nauseated for about three days afterward. He pretty much slept around the clock those first few days. He has felt a little better since then, but nowhere near as good as he felt on the old chemo.

We had hoped that the stiffness and soreness in Evan’s joints and muscles might improve a little bit on the new chemo, but no such luck. It actually got worse! Evidently, because the new chemo drug wreaks havoc on the white blood cells, at the end of each chemo session they have to give him a dose of another drug that boosts the production of white blood cells in his bone marrow. And wouldn’t you know it, this drug causes bone pain! Over the last few days he’s tried Advil, 800 mg Motrin, and finally Lortab, but nothing has worked to ease the pain.

Today he had his second chemo dose. It went faster this time (only 3 hours), but the nausea hit him a lot faster too. Last time, he didn’t start feeling sick until early the next morning, but this time he was pale and miserable within about 45 minutes after we got home. It’s a lot more intense this time too. (AARGH!!!)

He’s finally resting now, so I thought I’d come down and vent my frustration on the computer. It’s so hard to see him like this, and to be so completely powerless to make it better or easier. It’s infuriating and depressing all at the same time.

On the receptionist’s desk at the chemo center, she has this beautifully framed plaque that reads, “Cancer Sucks!” I’m resisting the urge to go paint that phrase in big giant letters across my garage door right now!

Thanks for listening, and thanks for your prayers, we need them more than ever right now!

Love,
Margot