What does a round of chemo look like? An overview
We are back at BC Children’s Hospital, once again receiving the amazing care that this place provides. Sam has just started his second round of chemotherapy. Today I thought I would provide a brief sketch of what Sam’s chemotherapy looks like – there is no one method for chemotherapy, rather plans are tailored to each circumstance. As such, though there may be some similarities with other chemotherapies this is Sam’s – and really it is the only one that I can speak to.
Considering chemotherapy in days and weeks:
- A round of chemotherapy is 21 days long.
- The first five days are intensly chemical. Numerous does of various chemotherapy specific drugs, along with drugs to help Sam not feel sick from receiving the prior are delivered. These days Sam is attached to the IV pole and has anywhere from 2-5 lines delivering chemical treatment to him via his central line (Hickman CVC1).
- The following ~10 days are the valley, the chemicals take effect and life gets gross. Chemotherapy is intense. It hammers actively growing cells, in hammers your immune system. The benefit is that it hammers the caner the hardest. Over this time:
- Blood counts will drop and there may be need for transfusions.
- Sam’s immune system will be entirely wiped out leaving him with no defences and secondary infections are a risk.
- In addition, he will likely experience some level of mucositis where sores can develop in the mouth and possibly anywhere in the GI2 system.
- Drugs during this phase are generally for pain and nausea control with additional drugs, as needed, for secondary infection management.
- The final days of the treatment are when we expect to see Sam’s body recover from treatment with a return to normal blood counts and life starts to feel better again.
Following a round of chemotherapy Sam, well all of us, will get a few days of a break … before starting this pattern all over again.
This is written on day 4 of 21. In the 2nd round of treatment – a day or two before we start into the valley.
Reflections on June 7 and 8
The 7th was our first full day back at the hospital and day 2 of this round chemotherapy. There were many visits by the various members of the medical team – making it feel like a day of interruptions, but this is the work of getting well.
Nurses trained me how to change Sam’s dressing – a clear bandage protecting his central line. Even now, when home seems so far away, they are preparing us to be there. Maybe it is weird but I enjoyed this – taking on a new challenge and also caring for my boy.
V., Sam’s physiotherapist, is thrilled with how improved he is, and the strength that he is regaining. She has provided additional tools to keep him moving – a stationary bike, and the next day some resistance bands and weights.
The next morning was more routine filled with various drug deliveries and fluids testing. In the afternoon: Tina and I got away, stocked her up on food that she can eat, after we returned, we had a good visit with Cal and Tricia.
Concerns and victories
Thankful for the team here at BC Childrens’s Hospital. For their expertise, the hard work that they do, and also the personal care they invest.
Thankful for the care of friends and family. Many thanks to for encouraging notes received through this site, email, and FaceBook.
Note: if you ever feel that you do not want to bother us – please ignore that feeling and send us a note. Hearing from you is always encouraging.Concern, that Sam seems to be losing weight, despite eating well. We may have to supplement his diet sooner than we had hoped (i.e. a new NG tube)
Concern as we head into the valley and life for Sam will feel gross (mucositis/GI sores, nausea…).
Concern that the cancer will be fully removed and that it will continue to respond to the treatment.