Cytotoxic Adventures, Part 2

After last week's breeze through treatment, I was expecting more of the same this week. But as in every hospital or clinic visit, I've learned to expect the unexpected.

My infusion of gemcitabine went as planned. But just a few seconds after starting the infusion of plitidepsin (the clinical trial drug), I knew something was wrong. My chest tightened and I found it difficult to breathe. I knew I must be having an allergic reaction to the drug. I had read through all of the possible side effects and I'm sure this was listed as one. I immediately called for the nurse.

Two nurses came rushing into my room to stop the infusion and it seemed like most of the rest of the nursing staff was starting to gather around my room - it must have been a slow day. My face turned extremely red - it felt like the hottest fever I could ever imagine - and the blood vessels in my neck became very tight. My throat constricted and I decided I better lay down and relax. I started breathing through my nose very slowly. I knew if I panicked, it would only make things worse and it would make air even more difficult to breathe.

I lay there for what seems like eternity before the symptoms subsided. It was probably only a few minutes. As my blood returned to it's normal resting place (everywhere besides my head), I felt fine again. A long discussion ensued about what to do with me. Should they continue the treatment at all? Should it continue there (at CINJ) or in Robert Wood Johnson Hospital? (CINJ was closing at 6PM and it was already 5:15). At this point I shout into the hallway, "Do I have any say in this matter?" A nurse comes in and says, "Of course, you're the patient." "Then I'll come back tomorrow thanks." My mother and I proceeded over to Old Man Rafferty's in New Brunswick where I had a prime rib dinner.

And with that, I returned the next day. The doubled up the steroids and benadryl to hopefully stave off any reaction and the infusion was done very slowly over the course of 2.5 hours, rather than one. No problems.

Side effects this week were fatigue, as per usual, this time more than two days and a little bit of diarrhea. But that could have been the result of eating too much unhealthy fried foods over the past two days.

Monday is week three of chemo. The following week is only blood work, so I hope to feel good for a period of longer than a few days. Fingers crossed. I hope you feel good too. 

Comments

[marion]

Hi John,

glad that everything worked better the next day.

Thinking of you and wishing the absolute best.

Hugs
Marion

[Jon Thomas]

Prime rib and trips to the bathroom...sounds like you're back to normal!!

[Tiffany]

How long do you have to be in the hospital for treatments each time you go in?

[Dr. Carole Ann Maxwell and Richard Nuzzo]

Dated: April 26, 2009
Carole Ann Maxwell & Richard Nuzzo

John:
Sorry you experienced an anaphylactic reaction to the 1 hour push of plitidepsin... too bad they were not more conservative on Day 1, then you would not have gone through the awful side effect of having your throat constrict. There does seem to be good news about what the treatment seems to be doing to the tumor... the necrosis and shrinkage are a good sign.

Carole Ann and I continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers. And yes John, the diarrhea was caused by the Prime Rib which your body probably is not used to consuming nowadays!!

Continued good luck with the treatment... keep the positive outlook, and continue fighting the good fight.

Carole Ann & Rit