Update January 3, 2022

260 Days Closer to the Finish Line

Today we checked in to Cook Children’s for Khloe’s 3rd Cycle of Chemotherapy Treatment. This is the first big experience in the treatment change and she was anxious about everything that would happen over the next 72 hours. Checking in to the hospital for a few nights is unnerving to her mostly because of the lack of privacy and the amount of professionals all up in her business. She has such a difficult time understanding why there is a clinical psychologist asking her questions for literally over an hour, why the nurse asked if she wears a seat belt, why these people ask if she feels safe at home, and why do they all seem impossibly awkward when they talk to her. She just wants everyone to get to the point, and stop treating her like a fragile porcelain doll.

Today started with a Covid test before the sun was up, a visit to the hematology/oncology office to access her port and again gather an inventory of bodily fluids for testing. After meeting with our oncologist, we registered to be admitted and then to the room for more vitals, more invasion of privacy, more of the same questions, and then another time verifying her 20 medications and the dosage.

She is now resting after receiving 5 different types of chemotherapy medicines including vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophyosphamide, dexrazoxane, and mesna. She’s tired mentally, emotionally, and of course physically.

So we played UNO, one of our favorite go-to games, argued with Ca Shan because he is irritatingly and overly competitive, ate some pie from the cafeteria, and now we will all attempt to rest our minds and find some peace for the evening.

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33

Medication Side Effects

Vincristine-
*Blurred or Double Vision
*Difficulty Walking
*Drooping Eyelids
*Headache
*Jaw Pain
*Numbness/Tingling in fingers & toe
*Pain in fingers and toes

Doxorubicin– (limited list)
*Pain
*Nausea
*Vomiting
*Low Blood Counts
*Hair Loss
*Mouth Sores
*Red Urine

Cyclophosphamide– (limited list)
*Low Blood Counts
*Nausea
*Vomiting
*Hair Loss
*Poor Appetite
*Diarrhea
*Bladder irritation & Bleeding

Dexrazoxane- (limited list)
*Weakness
*Pain
*Headache
*Dizziness
*Depression
*Stomach pain
*Swelling
*Fainting
*Weakness

Mesna– (limited list)
*Diarrhea
*Headache
*Tiredness
*Sore Throat
*Cough
*Itching
*Rash
*Hives
*Pink or Red Urine