Chemo 101

I’ve been schooled in chemo and there were very few surprises. As I have said regarding tumors and treatments: what you know based on one person’s experience may not apply here. Treatment can vary depending on the type of breast cancer, how large the tumor is (or was, from my vantage point), and how far it has spread. Several different types of chemo are used to treat breast cancer.
The drugs used in chemotherapy are called cytotoxic drugs because they kill cells. Duh, cyto=cell, toxic=poison. The drugs circulate through the bloodstream, killing both cancer cells and some healthy cells.
I’m told the combination I will receive will be easily tolerated. Actually, I was told “you are healthy, you’ll have no problem”. Cool. I will arrive at the Sutter Cancer Center, have blood work, speak to my oncologist, and receive Taxotere and Cytoxan via a drip in the vein. I'll be relaxing in a recliner—can you imagine B.K. in a Lazy Boy? I’ll get an anti-nausea drug prior, then half hour drip on one of the drugs, one hour of the other. No need to alter my diet. I stay on my vitamins (no herbal supplements). No dental work or flossing during my treatment course (sore gums). Common side effects are nausea, bruising, fatigue, cold hands and feet and possible fever. Big emphasis on drinking loads of water (dehydration). Blah, blah, blah.
A bit of familiar perspective here: how many Sunday mornings have we opened our eyes, slight hangover, and considered the cells we may have killed on Saturday night? Nausea, fatigue, needing water…uh huh, oh yea.
My first treatment will be New Year's Eve. Yea, I know, but there was a need to back the time frame out from a business trip to NYC in early February, and coordinate with my oncologist’s schedule. And quite honestly, there’s just something about kicking 2007 out with a bang that seemed appropriate. I will bid adieu to cancer as 2007 dies off. I will welcome 2008 as a transformative year of change.