Cytarabine aka Cyterrible
This morning the sun is shining, my family is sleeping peacefully. It seems that we have Sam’s health management under control. My outlook today is one of hope. The previous two days were definitely more challenging.
Reflections on May 16 and 17
Yesterday morning, as I was considering what to convey, the day started with a challenge… I will get to that, but before I do I actually need to back up two days.
Two days ago we had a meeting with our medical team. It was a fairly standard check-in but one that shook Tina and I to the core. We were both, individually, in own personal funks for much of the day before we had an opportunity to discuss it together. During the meeting we were introduced to members of the medical team from Canuck Place. They let us know some of the services that they provide including potential future options respite from the hospital experience. What shook us to the core was the main purpose of Canuck Place – palliative care. To be clear, we are not going down that road, but not knowing what the future holds, it is within the realm of possibility and I suspect that the medical team here had a ethical obligation to ensure this connection was made. We have known this, but the meeting forced us to confront the possibility more directly – again, re-opening this wound/fear.
Two days ago was also the fifth of five days of the heavy chemical delivery for this current round of chemotherapy. The remaining 16 days of this chemo round are in place for the chemicals to complete their work, and to allow Sam to recover from it. As of that evening we had not seen much for side effects. Yesterday morning, that would change.
Yesterday, as I was considering what to write, Sam’s day began with a strong wave of nausea and pain. The previous two nights one of the drugs that Sam was given was Cytarabine. I’ll blame that one, though it could been side effects from the whole set. It took several hours to get Sam comfortable, and by the afternoon he was feeling ok, tired but ok. And, though I am exhausted as well, Sam’s fatigue is beyond the lack of sleep we have been having as is a product of the treatment the chemo. In addition the chemotherapy medications will reduce Sam’s blood counts – reducing the capacity of his blood to: provide him energy/oxygen (hemoglobin/ red blood cells), protect him from injury (platelets), and protect him from disease (white blood cells).
Some positive highlights:
Tina and Erin S. were able to spend some time together (2 days ago)
A relaxed and enjoyable visit with Uncle Cal and cousin Jane (yesterday)
Coffee and treats sent to by friends.
Concerns and victories
The heavy dosing of this round of chemotherapy drugs is now complete
From what we are told, we are entering the valley of chemo side effects. Sam, seems ok this am. My hope is that the side effects will be minimal for him.
Although a rough start to yesterday, Sam now has a medication regime that seems to be working to curb the feelings of side effects causing nausea and pain.
We remain concerned that this treatment is ultimately successful at removing the cancer from Sam’s body.