Community Chat

[SaRina]

My best wishes to your SIL.

To show you just how toxic these chemotherapeutic agents are/can be, years ago, I had a couple of skin cancers on my face. At the time, my derm prescribed a topical chemo agent, Effudex, to address any pre-cancers that might be lurking under the skin.  Shortly after the 3-week treatment, I started having pain in my chest (not heart attack pain). A cardiologist diagnosed pericarditis (inflammation of the sac around the heart). Fortunately, it was a mild case and resolved on its own. I dread to think of how a worse case of pericarditis feels.

In an otherwise extremely healthy person with no medical conditions and on no medications, and in the absence of any other stressors, I could only ascribe the pericarditis to the Effudex.

My on-line research found nothing about this, but my in-depth research in a medical library found studies that proclaimed Effudex to be cardiotoxic. I also had changes in my fingernails and this was also discussed in the studies. My derm did not believe there was any connection, but I believe otherwise.

[tends2dogs]

@pegomyheart  I am sorry your SIL is going through this now.  Chemo can knock back cancer and put one in remission, but not without the chance of side effects.  Many show up much later in life.  Chemo is a real hit to the bone marrow and often people develop leukemia or MDS down the road.  I had a cousin that did.  She was told of the risks, but when this is your only option at the time, you have to make that choice of "do I do what I can today?" or "do I worry about what can happen later in life?"  Each person has to make their choice, go forward, and pray for the best.  We do what we can in this lifetime.

Your SIL is in my prayers.

[wagirl]

luv--thats the chemo I had plus 12 weeks of taxol. Very stong  chemo treatment. 17 years is awesome. In that 17 years the treatments and dosages have come along way altho still hard on your whole body. Hope you stay strong and are well for many more years!!!

[ShowMe]

---

@dex wrote:

@ShowMe I will pray for a complete healing for you too.You have been through a lot and  you must be a very strong person because you don't complain and you so deserve the right to complain.I always admire the courage,determination and strength of women that sees them through what life hands out.

---

Why thank you Whatnow.  Prayers go a long way in the healing process too.  Yes, I have been through a lot and am still going through it.  Have been told by my oncologist that I will probably have to have these treatments for the rest of my life.....unless they come out with something like pills......  It was a hard pill to swallow when he told me that, but I have accepted it now.  Am so thankful for the team of nurses in the doctor's office that take care of us during and before the treatments.  They are very dedicated to their work and treat their patients with lots of love.  I jokingly tell them I feel like I am a part of the furniture and fixtures, and I have earned the lovely recliner I sit in while getting my treatment.  We do laugh.....

I am very fortunate that I have a good heart and that these treatments haven't affected it (yet).  Hope this continues to be the case.  But, we never know.  The treatment I take is OPDIVO......very potent.  Please continue the prayers for me and for those on here posting.  Can never have enough of those.

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Blessings to you and yours.

[ShowMe]

---

@hckynut wrote:

rare but possible

---

No John, it is not rare.  The treatments many of us are taking or have had are very potent and therefore the risk of having side affects is always there.  I have had quite a few side affects and still have them.  But, we learn to live with them.  Before we start on any kind of treatment we are advised ahead of time of what could happen if we take the treatment(s).  We make the decision because we want to live......