Aug 10th. Cancer Education

Major problem is going to be with Blood as Chemo attacks the fast cells and blood is a fast cell. Blood: White, Red, Plattents. White: Lower White will reduce my immune system. I will need to make sure I don’t get sick or get around anyone that is sick. Red: Lower oxygen that travels through the body and if it gets too low I may need a blood transfusion. Platelets: Reduce the ability for cuts to stop bleeding and will bruise easier.

Skin: I will need to be careful about being in the sun and also watch for rashes. I will need to keep lotion to help keep the skin healthy.

Hair: They said with the chemo that I may not lose my hair but in some cases people do. If it starts falling out I will shave it so I don’t make a big mess everywhere. I will definitely take photos as it will be the first other than my baby photo with me without hair.

Fatigue/Weakness: I don’t think this will change as I am already feeling this. I am hoping the chemo will help be get some of this back

Nausea: I already have this now and then, they have given me a prescription and can pick it up today to help when I feel this.

Fever: This is one of the main things they said we need to watch out for. If it gets to 104 for over an hour I need to call them or after hours go to the ER and let them know I am taking FOLFOX chemo treatments and they should know what to do.

Chemo Medication Regimen

Blood Test to set a base and keep tract if problems after and before chemo FOL = FOLinic acid: used as an antidote to folic acid antagonists such as methotrexate. Folinic acid (leucovorin) is an antidote, chemotherapy modulating agent, and rescue agent for the chemotherapy class of medications. F = Fluorouracil (Also called 5-FU): Fluorouracil is part of a group of chemotherapy drugs known as anti metabolites. Anti metabolites are similar to normal body molecules but they have a slightly different structure. These differences mean that anti metabolites stop cancer cells working properly. They stop the cells making and repairing DNA Open a glossary item. Cancer cells need to make and repair DNA so that they can grow and multiply. OX = OXaliplatin: Oxaliplatin is one of a group of drugs called alkylating agents, which is a type of chemotherapy. Oxaliplatin works by sticking to one of the cancer cell's DNA Open a glossary item strands. DNA is the genetic code that is in the nucleus of all animal and plant cells. It controls everything the cell does. The cell cannot then grow and divide into 2 new cells.

Chemo Treatment Cycle Day 1 whatever day that lands on Hospital 3 hours IV for the first part and then for Fluorouracil infusion they connect my port with a pump that I will keep on for 48 hours. I guess they tape it very well onto my Chemo Port and It is a lanyard I carry for 2 days. Then I will go back to the hospital to have it removed.

3 days or less before my next treatment on day 15, I will need to go to Labcorp for a blood sample so they can check and make sure I am okay before my next round.

Rinse and Repeat until they tell me. When I asked how long I will be needing the treatments, she said it could be a very long time. I ask for 6 months. She looked and said a long time. So maybe longer and just depends. I am sure I will be getting MRI’s and CT’s to check the status and that should determine it.

I will see about uploading the paperwork they gave me.

Thanks again for all your love and support not just now but throughout my life.