Chemo Treatment No. 3

(This is not one of the side effects Ed has experienced from taking steroids for brain healing and swelling).

I had the pleasure of taking Ed in for his 3rd chemo treatment yesterday (July 1, 2009). My brother advised me to get us to the Cancer Center early in order to secure a 'private' room. However, anyone who knows me well, knows I am rarely on time, what less early.

We were on time, but unfortunately, Ed has to see Dr. Splichal before receiving chemo and I have known Dr. S to be 'on schedule' only once since Ed began seeing him late last year. No hard feelings for Dr. S, I know a lot of unforeseen things happen in a cancer treatment practice.

Our appointment was for 8:20am, and Dr. S came in to see Ed finally at about 9:15. Here are the highlights of this visit:

*Ed weighed in at 185.6 lbs. Up one pound from three weeks ago. A total weight gain of about 25 pounds since last November.
*His blood pressure reading was 80/100. The bottom number is up, but nothing to freak out over.
*His blood work was good.
(Dr S answered the following questions we had)
*Is it okay that Ed is urinating a lot - to the point of excessively (getting up 3 or 4 times during the night and still waking up with a soaking wet 'pull-up'. Yes, this is okay and desirable. He drinks a lot of liquids during the day to combat dehydration and to flush the kidneys.
*What causes his ankles to swell, is it dangerous, can anything be taken or done to reduce this swelling? The ankle swelling is probably caused by a nutrient (or mineral) being drained from his body by the cancer. The nutrient (cannot remember the name of this nutrient!!!) is being depleted and it is needed to help the body return liquids from the extremities back to the main body. It is not particularly dangerous, only uncomfortable and startling to look at. If any swollen areas become hot to the touch, painful or red and angry looking, then it could be a problem (such as indication of a blood clot). Neither heat nor cold compresses help this type of swelling. A water pill or other fluid evacuating drug would not help this type of swelling either. Suggested wearing tight hose purchased from drug store and elevating the legs.
*What causes the sensation of water trickling down the forearms and shins? Dr S seemed a little perplexed by this. He said he didn't think he'd heard of this before but was sure it is caused by either the location of the brain tumor or side effects of steroids and/or chemo.

Dr S. decided to reduce Ed's dosage of steroids from three 4 mg tablets a day to two 4 mg tablets a day. He said he was concerned that the dosage and the length of time taking the steroids would effect Ed's sugar levels...meaning he could develop medically induced diabetes. Other side effects blamed on the drug since he began taking them in November of last year...red 'blood blotches' appear on his arms, hair growth all over his body including knuckles of his fingers and toes, weight gain, muscle weakness, tingling in arms and hands. Dr S. is hoping to slowly wean him off steroids. Very good news...since Ed's last visit to the neurologist three weeks ago and subsequent medication adjustment for seizures, Ed has not had a seizure for exactly 4 weeks now! Hallelujah!

After Dr. S finished up with Ed's check up, we headed to the other side of the building to get set up for chemo. I fully expected to be at the center a good 5 to 6 hours from that point, but it ended up only taking about three hours. More details about Ed's 3rd chemo and my FIRST experience with it (as an onlooker) in my next post.