Adriamycin and Cytoxan (AC) - Week 1

Hope everyone had a great Christmas.  This week "mom" had her first treatment of adriamycin and cytoxan (AC).   This week "Grandpa Gary" and "Grandma Sue" got a break from treatment.  We hear that staying at home it kinda tough.  While they hate to see their daughter go through chemo treatment, they do enjoy seeing the chemo doing its job first hand and being part of the action.   We hope that the emails, text messages and phone calls kept them in the loop.  Don't worry "Grandma Sue", dad was sure to bring Saint Michael, Saint Therese, and the holy water to treatment and make sure they all returned home safe and sound.

Through  the blizzard of 2010, "mom", "dad", Kristina and Colleen headed off to Boston around 5:30 am. Colleen navigated through the blizzard (20+ inches of snow in Boston) and they arrived at treatment about 1/2 hour early around 7:30am. Thanks to great driving skills and a low traffic volume due to the holidays the ride actually took approximately the same amount of time ("mom "was sure relieved when they arrived as she didn't want to miss a treatment)

After meeting with her team of doctors, treatment began around 9:30am and included some pre-medications.  We hear they were a combination of anti-nausea medications as this treatment has been shown to have to pretty ugly side effects in the nausea department.   Mom was happy that Nurse Mary had arrived on time and was able to administer her treatment.  After the pre-drugs it was time for the adriamycin  which was given via IV in two very large syringes.   The drug was red in color which apparently makes you urinate a tint of read.  Very interesting!!!  The drugs were given by Nurse Mary over a 20 minute +/- period.  Next after a short resting period it was time for the cytoxan which was given via IV drip over an hour period.  During this time Team Charlene watched part of the movie Despicable Me.  We hear that the movie was really good and would recommended to all.

Ready to kick some Cancer Butt

Team Charlene - Colleen and Kristina

In summary the first treatment of AC went really well and the Nurse Mary was really happy with the infusion.   Once again Team Charlene pulls off a successful Monday of treatment.


On Tuesday "mom" and "dad" headed back to Boston to Dana-Farber for a follow up appointment with the surgeon to go over the results of the MRI.  The surgeon was very pleased with the results of the chemo thus far and indicated that the size measured bigger, however, this was due to an significant increase in fluid and free tissue due to the breakdown of the tumor.  The tumor looked more and more like swiss cheese as it died off in chucks.  The fluid does however cause a pain to build up to to pressure and the doctors are looking for solutions in the form of pain medications and anti-inflammatory to keep the progress rolling to completion.  The doctors are very happy with the Chemo and want to see it completed prior to surgery.  "Mom" was very happy to hear some great news.

So far this week "mom" is feeling pretty tired with waves of nausea and has been resting a lot.  The doctors expected this for the first three days post treatment and "mom" hopes it will dissipate as the week goes on.   There is no treatment next week as the new program is every two weeks, so a week off will be nice.  We will keep you all posted on the progress and will make sure "mom" gets lots of rest and relaxation.


Love the Puppers and Kitty,

Ginger, Lizzie, and Baby (Meow)