!44: Information on Breast Cancer - The Tale of Three Chemos

!±8± Information on Breast Cancer - The Tale of Three Chemos

(The information contained in this article does not constitute medical advice; please consult a physician if you have questions about breast health issues raised in this article.)

My first time through breast cancer the highways of treatment over which I traveled were the typical "cut, poison, and burn" routine. First the surgeon extracted the tumor and surrounding tissue in a lumpectomy. Then I endured a chemotherapy called CMF, a toxic, colorless cocktail of three chemicals: cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil. Finally, my breast was radiated for six weeks to seal the fate of any remaining cancerous cells lurking within. This article focuses on my experience with chemo.

The most common short-term side effects of chemotherapy include fatigue, hair loss, nausea, mucositis (irritation of the lining of the mouth and intestines), increased risk of infection (due to low white-blood-cell counts), and anemia (due to low red-blood-cell counts).

I didn't experience all of these side effects. My hair thinned, but did not disappear. My blood-cell counts decreased, but not so much that I couldn't take a cross-country two-week vacation. I didn't suffer any infections during the entire three months of chemo treatment.

Between chemotherapy infusions the technicians religiously took blood samples from me like overeager vampire bats. The blood draws were performed to determine if my red- and white-blood-cell counts were too low for me to be treated. Because my blood was being checked so frequently, my good arm (the one without the lymph nodes removed from the armpit) was feeling the effects of these extra pokes in addition to the I.V. pricks. Fortunately, my veins did not collapse.

The nurses frequently solved the I.V. problem by sticking my arm in a bucket of hot water to make the veins more accessible. While this technique was not fool-proof, by God's grace it usually worked and the veins in my arm were able to tough out the entire treatment.

While I did not lose all my hair, the CMF concoction stopped my periods cold about one month after the first infusion. My research to uncover information on breast cancer revealed that CMF was more likely to trigger menopause than regimens containing Adriamycin (chemical name: doxorubicin) or Taxol/Taxotere (chemical names: paclitaxel/docetaxel). But Adriamycin is a particularly harsh chemo drug, more so than CMF, causing certain hair loss, markedly reduced white- and red-blood cell counts, and usually severe nausea. And Taxol/Taxotere can cause peripheral neuropathy, a numbness in fingers and toes.

As a normal ten-year period of menopause was condensed into a few months due to chemo, my body found itself adjusting to a sudden reduction in estrogen, leading to night sweats, hot flashes, and mood swings. Not to mention bone loss, insomnia, and risk to the heart. It was difficult to determine whether menopause or chemo treatment was causing any particular symptom. I used a Chillow foam pillow for night sweats, melatonin for inducing sleep, and calcium and Vitamin D to prevent bone loss.

Exhaustion was another challenge. To prevent fatigue often accompanying chemotherapy, patients should initiate mild-to-moderate exercise such as walking 10-20 minutes every day. Physical activity after treatment not only can improve fatigue, but offers psychological benefits. Breast cancer patients who exercise feel more resilient and less depressed than those who are sedentary.

When I was tired from lack of sleep and did not eat or exercise properly, I noticed I couldn't concentrate well. This mental fog, commonly known as "chemo brain," causes temporary confusion and inability to do calculations, as well as mild forgetfulness. I addressed my concentration and memory problems by making lists, leaving messages on electronic calendars or voice mail to remind myself of things, and using a daily planner to jot down notes regarding urgent tasks.

As to dietary alternatives during chemo, a physician can recommend their use only if they have been proven effective for their intended purpose. My own anecdotal evidence is that supplements (such as melatonin and iron) can help. To me, their sole benefit was to alleviate certain side effects of Western medicine. With diminished side-effects, I was a happier patient, willing to brave continued treatment with clinically proven drugs.

When I conducted cyberspace research to locate information on breast cancer, I consulted only reliable websites. Those displaying the HONcode logo are considered to be more reputable than websites without it. This logo represents a certification that the website complies with the Health on the Net principles, designed to increase the accuracy, objectivity, and trustworthiness of Internet health information.

As you can see, this tale of three chemos, C, M, and F, is not one of woe. Nor is it usually a tale of total hair loss. Once chemo is through, the breast cancer patient is nearing the final stretch on the road to wellness.