Treatment and Foodstuffs
Today has gone well. It began in clinic where we learned Ethen's counts are within the range for allowing treatment. We then went to the children's hospital, which thankfully had a bed available early in the day. This sped the process to starting Ethen on his therapy drugs, which have just now finished for the day.
The first drug for the day was Cytoxan, which he's had before (in rounds 1 and 2), but now in much higher dosage. This is the one that he's receiving two weeks' worth (on the previous regime) in two days. It drips slowly over 5–6 hours. Due to the high dose he's receiving Mesna, which helps to protect his bladder and urinary system from irritation due to prolonged contact with the Cytoxan. The other ones are Doxorubicin (paired with Zinecard) and Vincristine. The Doxorubicin may affect Ethen's heart due to the heart muscle's composition, which is particularly sensitive to oxidative stress from free radicals produced by the drug. This is why it is paired with Zinecard, which helps to protect the heart from the free radical damage. The Vincristine can affect Ethen's nervous system, which presents in the tingling of the hands and feet. One "neat" thing about Vincristine is that it derives from a plant (periwinkle), and it works to kill cancer by crystallizing the cell prior to division by adhering to cell proteins. I hate that we need these drugs for Ethen and others battling cancer, but I am constantly amazed at the availability of these drugs, which often seem to be discovered by accident.
In good news, and in answer to prayer, we have been able to stave off the NG tube for a while. In clinic, we spoke with our doctor and he said he thought it'd be a good idea to go ahead with the NG tube. As Christie and I were talking with our nurse in Ethen's hospital room, I had the impulse to ask about doing TPN (total parenteral nutrition [IV nutrition]) rather than the NG tube. That led to a discussion between the nurse practitioner and doctor, which bought Ethen some time. Turns out Ethen has done really well nutritionally over the past couple weeks. For now we'll see how he does over the week and reevaluate before we leave.
Please pray that Ethen's heart will not be adversely affect by the Doxorubicin. Pray that Ethen can maintain good food intake and good blood salt levels. As always, please pray that the chemotherapy is effective.
The first drug for the day was Cytoxan, which he's had before (in rounds 1 and 2), but now in much higher dosage. This is the one that he's receiving two weeks' worth (on the previous regime) in two days. It drips slowly over 5–6 hours. Due to the high dose he's receiving Mesna, which helps to protect his bladder and urinary system from irritation due to prolonged contact with the Cytoxan. The other ones are Doxorubicin (paired with Zinecard) and Vincristine. The Doxorubicin may affect Ethen's heart due to the heart muscle's composition, which is particularly sensitive to oxidative stress from free radicals produced by the drug. This is why it is paired with Zinecard, which helps to protect the heart from the free radical damage. The Vincristine can affect Ethen's nervous system, which presents in the tingling of the hands and feet. One "neat" thing about Vincristine is that it derives from a plant (periwinkle), and it works to kill cancer by crystallizing the cell prior to division by adhering to cell proteins. I hate that we need these drugs for Ethen and others battling cancer, but I am constantly amazed at the availability of these drugs, which often seem to be discovered by accident.
In good news, and in answer to prayer, we have been able to stave off the NG tube for a while. In clinic, we spoke with our doctor and he said he thought it'd be a good idea to go ahead with the NG tube. As Christie and I were talking with our nurse in Ethen's hospital room, I had the impulse to ask about doing TPN (total parenteral nutrition [IV nutrition]) rather than the NG tube. That led to a discussion between the nurse practitioner and doctor, which bought Ethen some time. Turns out Ethen has done really well nutritionally over the past couple weeks. For now we'll see how he does over the week and reevaluate before we leave.
Please pray that Ethen's heart will not be adversely affect by the Doxorubicin. Pray that Ethen can maintain good food intake and good blood salt levels. As always, please pray that the chemotherapy is effective.
We love you all and continue to pray for Ethen's tolerance and chemotherapy success.
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