Chemotherapy (chemo) is the main treatment for most childhood leukemias. This is treatment with anti-cancer drugs that are given in a vein (IV), in a muscle, in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) around the brain and spinal cord, or are taken by mouth. Except when given in the CSF, chemo drugs enter the bloodstream and reach all areas of the body, making this treatment very useful for cancers such as leukemia.
The same thing was done for Mahiyaa. Her planned chemotherapy is to give chemo in cycles, with each period of treatment followed by a rest period to give the body time to recover and each time before start the cycle bone marrow was checked for a blasts. The treatment for Mahiyaa uses lower doses of chemo over a longer period of time. We was informed the schedule will go up 2 to 3 years meanwhile dr’s are waiting for her BMT result from Singapore to classify her cancer according to her severity to apply suitable treatment plan.
One think we know about chemotherapy is most side effects usually go away when treatment is finish and it always reversible but yet Dr Chan as used other ways to reduce these side effects. For instance, Mahiyaa was given tablets to help prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. Mahiyaa was in high risk of Tumor lysis syndrome. This is one of side effect of chemo can happen in children who had large numbers of leukemia cells in the body before treatment. When chemo kills these cells, they break open and release their contents into the bloodstream. This can overwhelm the kidneys, which aren’t able to get rid of all of these substances at once. Too much of certain minerals can also affect the heart and nervous system. This problem was prevented by give lots of fluids during treatment and certain drugs, such as bicarbonate, allopurinol, and rasburicase, which help the body get rid of these substances can to help reduce these side effects.
Chemo for Mahiyaa was given directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) around the brain and spinal cord. Before her chemotherapy treatment, Mahiyaa had a port surgically installed on her right side, just above her breast and below her collarbone. Ports provide an easy way to administer the chemo drugs. As part of each cycle, Mahiyaa received the chemo drugs along with medications to combat nausea and to help beef up her immune system, as well as IV fluids for dehydration. During the chemo infusions, Mahiyaa's Dr gave her some medicines to prevent mouth sores and anti-nausea medications. She did, however, have diarrhea for about a day during each chemo cycle.
Chemotherapy side effects vary, depending on the type of cancer a patient has and the drugs he or she is given.Each drug has its own side effects also, when combined with other chemotherapy drugs, there can either be worsening of a side effect or development of new side effects.
The same thing was done for Mahiyaa. Her planned chemotherapy is to give chemo in cycles, with each period of treatment followed by a rest period to give the body time to recover and each time before start the cycle bone marrow was checked for a blasts. The treatment for Mahiyaa uses lower doses of chemo over a longer period of time. We was informed the schedule will go up 2 to 3 years meanwhile dr’s are waiting for her BMT result from Singapore to classify her cancer according to her severity to apply suitable treatment plan.
One think we know about chemotherapy is most side effects usually go away when treatment is finish and it always reversible but yet Dr Chan as used other ways to reduce these side effects. For instance, Mahiyaa was given tablets to help prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. Mahiyaa was in high risk of Tumor lysis syndrome. This is one of side effect of chemo can happen in children who had large numbers of leukemia cells in the body before treatment. When chemo kills these cells, they break open and release their contents into the bloodstream. This can overwhelm the kidneys, which aren’t able to get rid of all of these substances at once. Too much of certain minerals can also affect the heart and nervous system. This problem was prevented by give lots of fluids during treatment and certain drugs, such as bicarbonate, allopurinol, and rasburicase, which help the body get rid of these substances can to help reduce these side effects.
Chemo for Mahiyaa was given directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) around the brain and spinal cord. Before her chemotherapy treatment, Mahiyaa had a port surgically installed on her right side, just above her breast and below her collarbone. Ports provide an easy way to administer the chemo drugs. As part of each cycle, Mahiyaa received the chemo drugs along with medications to combat nausea and to help beef up her immune system, as well as IV fluids for dehydration. During the chemo infusions, Mahiyaa's Dr gave her some medicines to prevent mouth sores and anti-nausea medications. She did, however, have diarrhea for about a day during each chemo cycle.
Chemotherapy side effects vary, depending on the type of cancer a patient has and the drugs he or she is given.Each drug has its own side effects also, when combined with other chemotherapy drugs, there can either be worsening of a side effect or development of new side effects.
Mahiyaa encountered the following side effects with her chemotherapy treatment:
Fatigue
After the first cycle of chemo drugs, she is no ,ore how she used to be before. Very quite reserved weak and with full of fatigue. Fatigue is common problem which worsens as chemotherapy treatment combine with steroids. Many patients go on disability while undergoing chemo. We tried to keep her active as much as we could by going for small walk or little playing activity at home.
Hair loss
Mahiyaa hair began falling out about two weeks after her first chemotherapy treatment. I put my hand in her hair and gobs started falling out. This something I expected and we plan to do something that we wanted to do so long even before we ever know Mahiyaa will diagnose with cancer. Its the time. We donated out hair for cancer support association. We feel so satisfied. We haven't shave her hair but just cut it short to balance her emotional status.During MCO we find really hard to get hair stylist who have vaccinated, but with help of my friend I manage to get a kind hearted hair stylist, Mr Barathan to cut hair short and styled it. I have shared the guides to donate hair in my next post.
Loss of taste
Mahiyaa didn’t lose her appetite indeed, she developed a newfound craving for Idli and Chicken curry. But she did lose her craving for “sweet.” She no longer likes anything with sweet. Lost of taste in chemotherapy is common and it is the main reason for the patient to lose weight. But for some period of time, the steroids will boost the appetite and make the patient look little chubbier.
Swelling (edema)
Mahiyaa experienced swelling in her hands and feet, which can be a side effect of some chemo drugs. This was treated with diuretics (drugs that help the body excrete excess water). Mahiyaa do get Moon face. But it was gone right after the first cycle.
“Chemo brain”
Mahiyaa had ability to retain numbers easily even while she was 3 years old. But that skill disappeared after the second cycle of chemo drugs. I make sure she practise her brain to remember things by asking he to memorise times. I am not sure how it really work but i just make sure she don't lose the ability to recall and remember.
Fatigue
After the first cycle of chemo drugs, she is no ,ore how she used to be before. Very quite reserved weak and with full of fatigue. Fatigue is common problem which worsens as chemotherapy treatment combine with steroids. Many patients go on disability while undergoing chemo. We tried to keep her active as much as we could by going for small walk or little playing activity at home.
Hair loss
Mahiyaa hair began falling out about two weeks after her first chemotherapy treatment. I put my hand in her hair and gobs started falling out. This something I expected and we plan to do something that we wanted to do so long even before we ever know Mahiyaa will diagnose with cancer. Its the time. We donated out hair for cancer support association. We feel so satisfied. We haven't shave her hair but just cut it short to balance her emotional status.During MCO we find really hard to get hair stylist who have vaccinated, but with help of my friend I manage to get a kind hearted hair stylist, Mr Barathan to cut hair short and styled it. I have shared the guides to donate hair in my next post.
Loss of taste
Mahiyaa didn’t lose her appetite indeed, she developed a newfound craving for Idli and Chicken curry. But she did lose her craving for “sweet.” She no longer likes anything with sweet. Lost of taste in chemotherapy is common and it is the main reason for the patient to lose weight. But for some period of time, the steroids will boost the appetite and make the patient look little chubbier.
Swelling (edema)
Mahiyaa experienced swelling in her hands and feet, which can be a side effect of some chemo drugs. This was treated with diuretics (drugs that help the body excrete excess water). Mahiyaa do get Moon face. But it was gone right after the first cycle.
“Chemo brain”
Mahiyaa had ability to retain numbers easily even while she was 3 years old. But that skill disappeared after the second cycle of chemo drugs. I make sure she practise her brain to remember things by asking he to memorise times. I am not sure how it really work but i just make sure she don't lose the ability to recall and remember.
She is brave like her mum and strong like the father,with full of god bless she will be fine very soon.big hugs
ReplyDelete