Cytarabine
Cytarabine or cytosine arabinoside (Cytosar-U or Depocyt) is a chemotherapy agent used mainly in the treatment of cancers of white blood cells such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.[1] It is also known as ara-C (arabinofuranosyl cytidine).[2] It kills cancer cells by interfering with DNA synthesis.
It is called cytosine arabinoside because it combines a cytosine base with an arabinose sugar. Cytosine normally combines with a different sugar, deoxyribose, to form deoxycytidine, a component of DNA. Certain sponges, where it was originally found, use arabinoside sugars to form a different compound (not part of DNA). Cytosine arabinoside is similar enough to human cytosine deoxyribose (deoxycytidine) to be incorporated into human DNA, but different enough that it kills the cell. This mechanism is used to kill cancer cells. Cytarabine is the first of a series of cancer drugs that altered the sugar component of nucleosides. Other cancer drugs modify the base.
I know these definitions probably confuse you, but I'm happy you don't have to use these words or see them often.
This is the last day for this drug and the Etoposide. Then tomorrow will be the BIG one -- Meophalan. It will be about a 30 minute IV.
As I mentioned yesterday, I was encouraged by his need and want to go into work after clinic. We came home instead. This morning he ironed his clothes again and informed me his BP was 108. His cheeks were rosy and I could tell he felt good even after we didn't sleep much. I was NOT encouraged when he asked me, "what do you think about following me to the clinic and when I'm done I will go into work so you can work al; day?" I not only gave him -- that look, I responded with, "NO! They have told you NOT to drive!" Then I left the room.
He had been buttering me up all morning and I fell for it... things like - those eggs were Peeerrrrfffect this morning; your hair looks great; baby, I'm sorry I kept you awake last night..
I truly expected a fight, but when we got into the truck he agreed it was a good idea we go together. He woke up with a headache and it was getting worse. I gave him Tylenol before we left. I told him then that anything could happen with his BP, nausea or anything and we didn't want that. Soooooo, we were okay. Whew!
It was a long ride to work because of traffic. We had to reroute... Tommy called us and warned us of backed up traffic. We were only 15 minutes late. I dropped him off and headed in.
I got a good few hours in and text him about lunch and when he would be done. He called me instead of texting... Long story short -- His BP skyrocketed to 144 and his heart rate fell to 48. As he explained things to me about EKG, changing meds, taking blood and some other things, I could tell he was exasperated. So, I left work at 11:30 and picked him up a burger and his favorite chocolate shake.
First words out of his nurses' mouth was he didn't entertain them like he did yesterday. He was laid back and looked tired. He perked up when he saw the shake.
We took him off the BP pills to raise his pressure. He didn't get fluids because he is retaining too much and they don't want it to put pressure on his heart. He has gained 14 lb. since Saturday. He is looking like the Michelin Man! They gave him Lasix (this gets rid of fluid in your body) before we left. He still had a headache so I asked permission to give him Tylenol when we got home. He isn't suppose to do that much.
Since the Lasix is draining the fluids he will probably get a bag tomorrow to rehydrate him. Sounds like a vicious circle doesn't it? But, these folks KNOW what they are doing. For that, we are thankful. God watches over us and them every day.
He gave the APN the wrong med sheet today that I prepared of all his current medications. I think she almost freaked out on him because low dose aspirin was on it and a few other things. I showed him the date on it so he would know it wasn't the right one. We are going by the one they gave us with the chemo we received in the doc's office on Friday. For some reason he forgot that. So, we are all on the same page now. He was trying too hard.
Today was also the last day for his Dex... I think he is glad. Making so many trips to the kitchen all night is wearing him out! LOL
He had a little company while I went and got snacks for him when he doesn't feel good. When they left and I came home he went straight to bed at 4:00. His BP was 144. I closed the curtains and he put a pillow over his head. I knew then he felt bad. So, I left him and kept the dogs out and covered Woody so he wouldn't squawk. He stayed in bed until 6:00.
He wanted hot dogs and chips for dinner. I had a fresh avocado so I fixed some dip without the hot stuff. He must have missed all of us because he came downstairs looking like a little boy just awaking from a nap. Said he knew I was up to something and he didn't want me to be alone. He ate two hot dogs, fritos and two helpings of dip. Now he thinks he ate too much... :)
We are down for the night at 8:00. His BP is 105/62 and his heart rate is 72. I believe we will both sleep better now. I'm not working tomorrow.
God is good.... All the time! He works in ways we cannot see.
Good night and Love -- Pepper
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