Monday, March 12, 2007
Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Soft Tissue Sarcomas (STS) are a group of cancers that originate from the basic elements of body tissues like: muscle, vessels, fatty tissue, fibrous tissue, etc. They may involve any part or any organ of the body. They account for about 1% of all cancers in USA and roughly 6,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United states. Average age at the time of diagnosis is 40-60 years.
Doxorubicin and Ifosfamide
Doxorubicin
Doxorubicin or Adriamycin® or hydroxyldaunorubicin is a DNA-interacting drug widely used in chemotherapy. It is an anthracycline and structurely closely related to daunomycin, and also intercalates DNA. It is commonly used in the treatment of a wide range of cancers.
Doxorubicin is a commonly used to treat Hodgkin's disease, breast cancer, lung cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, Kahler's disease (multiple myeloma) and recurring instances of ovarian cancer. Commonly used doxorubicin-containing regimens are ABVD (Adriamycin®, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine), CHOP (Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin, Vincristine, Prednisone) and FAC (5-Fluorouracil, Adriamycin, Cyclophosphamide).
Ifosfamide
Ifosfamide (pronounced i-fos-fa-mide) is a chemotherapy drug that is given as a treatment for many different types of cancer. Ifosfamide is one of the newer chemotherapy drugs which has been around and in use for many years. Ifosfamide is a white powder which, when prepared for use becomes a clear, colorless liquid. It is given by intravenous route only and is most commonly used in treatment of the following cancers: Lung, Lymphomas, Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas. Ifosfamide is normally given over three to four days, every three to four weeks.
Mom was given a combination of the two. From Thursday to Saturday night I miss class to go to the hospital with my mom for her chemo. Sometimes I lose my patience, how I wish I was more patient and gentle with her...
Doxorubicin or Adriamycin® or hydroxyldaunorubicin is a DNA-interacting drug widely used in chemotherapy. It is an anthracycline and structurely closely related to daunomycin, and also intercalates DNA. It is commonly used in the treatment of a wide range of cancers.
Doxorubicin is a commonly used to treat Hodgkin's disease, breast cancer, lung cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, Kahler's disease (multiple myeloma) and recurring instances of ovarian cancer. Commonly used doxorubicin-containing regimens are ABVD (Adriamycin®, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine), CHOP (Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin, Vincristine, Prednisone) and FAC (5-Fluorouracil, Adriamycin, Cyclophosphamide).
Ifosfamide
Ifosfamide (pronounced i-fos-fa-mide) is a chemotherapy drug that is given as a treatment for many different types of cancer. Ifosfamide is one of the newer chemotherapy drugs which has been around and in use for many years. Ifosfamide is a white powder which, when prepared for use becomes a clear, colorless liquid. It is given by intravenous route only and is most commonly used in treatment of the following cancers: Lung, Lymphomas, Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas. Ifosfamide is normally given over three to four days, every three to four weeks.
Mom was given a combination of the two. From Thursday to Saturday night I miss class to go to the hospital with my mom for her chemo. Sometimes I lose my patience, how I wish I was more patient and gentle with her...
Chemotherapy
June 2005
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear chemotherapy? Mom’s was my hair. Hehe. Silly, it should’ve been the least of her worries.
We were blessed with great doctors whom we owe so much coz we don’t pay their huge PFs hehehe. Dr. Didith De Villa, took care of Mom during her chemotherapy. Mom’s first chemo was 4 cycles of 3 days intense treatment. Our first chemo was probably the easiest and the hardest of all four.
Easiest because she was still physically strong. It was still easy for her to move around. She still had an appetite. In fact, while waiting for the chemo to start, we were watching food network at Cardinal Santos’ Cancer Research Center, she was like, I want to eat this. Then she’d see something else and would change her mind. In short, she wanted to eat everything. Her veins were still fresh and not brittle, it was still easy to find and stick a needle for her IV. And mostly, she still had no idea what’s in store for her after chemo.
Hardest because we didn’t know what to expect, we weren’t prepared for the 33 Pesos charge per cotton ball, (I still have the billings to show you) nor the 200++ charge per use of the sugar monitor which we have at home. Nor were we prepared for the complications that later played havoc with her. Her sudden rise of temperature, chills, blistering mouth sores, and lack of appetite.
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear chemotherapy? Mom’s was my hair. Hehe. Silly, it should’ve been the least of her worries.
We were blessed with great doctors whom we owe so much coz we don’t pay their huge PFs hehehe. Dr. Didith De Villa, took care of Mom during her chemotherapy. Mom’s first chemo was 4 cycles of 3 days intense treatment. Our first chemo was probably the easiest and the hardest of all four.
Easiest because she was still physically strong. It was still easy for her to move around. She still had an appetite. In fact, while waiting for the chemo to start, we were watching food network at Cardinal Santos’ Cancer Research Center, she was like, I want to eat this. Then she’d see something else and would change her mind. In short, she wanted to eat everything. Her veins were still fresh and not brittle, it was still easy to find and stick a needle for her IV. And mostly, she still had no idea what’s in store for her after chemo.
Hardest because we didn’t know what to expect, we weren’t prepared for the 33 Pesos charge per cotton ball, (I still have the billings to show you) nor the 200++ charge per use of the sugar monitor which we have at home. Nor were we prepared for the complications that later played havoc with her. Her sudden rise of temperature, chills, blistering mouth sores, and lack of appetite.
Radiation
May 2005
We started a 33 days series of radiation. Everyday, Leah and Mom went to Medical City for her radiation. Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 10am. Each day we also pray that everything will soon be back to normal. We’ve barely begun. Mom was probably the friendliest pereson I know. She became friends with every patients there. As well as the staff, ask her their story and she would know. Mom was almost back to normal except for the burnt part on her right shoulder caused by the radiation.
We started a 33 days series of radiation. Everyday, Leah and Mom went to Medical City for her radiation. Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 10am. Each day we also pray that everything will soon be back to normal. We’ve barely begun. Mom was probably the friendliest pereson I know. She became friends with every patients there. As well as the staff, ask her their story and she would know. Mom was almost back to normal except for the burnt part on her right shoulder caused by the radiation.
PERIPHERAL NERVE SHEET TUMOR – S2
More known as SOFT TISSUE SARCOMAS. When people ask what kind of cancer mom has, they expect to hear breast or ovary or cervix or colon or lung cancer. But peripheral nerve what??? I only learned of that term a few months ago. Almost a year and half after this journey as a cancer afflicted family (that’s what I call us—cancer afflict family. People might find it weird I keep saying us. Cancer isn’t just an illness that affects the person who has it. It affects the WHOLE family of that patient. It’s a constant battle for them and for us, the family. It’s a battle that needs whole family support, help and guidance. It’s our battle not just mom’s.) began. We used to call it lymphona although I doubt people get it too. To say it’s uncommon is an understatement.
RARE. It is an extremely rare and aggressive type of cancer, that even in the US, it’s a nobody. People fund research for breast cancers, testicular cancers, lung cancers but peripheral nerve sheets, haven’t really heard of it much. In fact, I keep telling Mom, you’re God’s favorite Ma, He gave you a rare one.
RARE. It is an extremely rare and aggressive type of cancer, that even in the US, it’s a nobody. People fund research for breast cancers, testicular cancers, lung cancers but peripheral nerve sheets, haven’t really heard of it much. In fact, I keep telling Mom, you’re God’s favorite Ma, He gave you a rare one.
Running Out of Time
I'm blogging as fast as I can hoping I can finish this before.........
March 2005
Mom felt a lump in her right axilla, which is under her armpit. We consulted two doctors who both wanted to operate as soon as possible. Having hesitations we asked Dr. Rafael Claudio, an orthopedic surgeon who is a friend of my sister, for his opinion. A couple of weeks later, he scheduled a biopsy and after two more days had an operation.
April 2005
As I was doing my practicum, it was Leah who took care of mom during and after her operation. It was hard for her. Mom wasn’t exactly the best and most cooperative patient (I know coz I later on took over). Prior operation, Dr. Claudio told us, if the mass had already spread he will not try removing it anymore and see from there, but if its still intact then he can remove the mass. They were able to removed a lump as big as a fist. The biopsy concluded a mass of malignant soft tissues. Also known as Cancer.
Back in college, three of my friends had parents who have cancer, honestly it was just plain statistics to me. I didn’t know how I can console them or really relate to them. Now, my own mom belongs to that statistics, I am part of that statistics.
March 2005
Mom felt a lump in her right axilla, which is under her armpit. We consulted two doctors who both wanted to operate as soon as possible. Having hesitations we asked Dr. Rafael Claudio, an orthopedic surgeon who is a friend of my sister, for his opinion. A couple of weeks later, he scheduled a biopsy and after two more days had an operation.
April 2005
As I was doing my practicum, it was Leah who took care of mom during and after her operation. It was hard for her. Mom wasn’t exactly the best and most cooperative patient (I know coz I later on took over). Prior operation, Dr. Claudio told us, if the mass had already spread he will not try removing it anymore and see from there, but if its still intact then he can remove the mass. They were able to removed a lump as big as a fist. The biopsy concluded a mass of malignant soft tissues. Also known as Cancer.
Back in college, three of my friends had parents who have cancer, honestly it was just plain statistics to me. I didn’t know how I can console them or really relate to them. Now, my own mom belongs to that statistics, I am part of that statistics.
Feb. 24, 2007
I don’t want to cry anymore. Cause crying hurts so much. I’ve wanted to write about this journey maybe to preserve the good times my mom and I had. Or maybe because when the time comes that God wants to take her back, I have something to remind me of everything. Or maybe I just want to find relief as I write my thoughts and let it all out.
My mom started getting worse right after she celebrated her 68th birthday, Christmas day. I find it curious how fast her health deteriorated. Although later we found out it’s just purely through God’s miracle that she survived that long. She said she prayed that God would allow her good health just to celebrate her birthday. And she did. The following day, she started having difficulty breathing. Two weeks later we were confined in Medical City. Water filled her left lungs. A few weeks later, she was practically bedridden and needs oxygen to help her breath. I’m scared what will happen in the next few days… weeks… do we still have a month…………..
**I started writing this journal last 26th of February, but only got the chance to post it this March.