Cyclophosphamide

Today Mom starts a new chemo, cyclophosphamide (who comes up with these names?).  Her new myeloma cocktail includes velcade, dexamethasone and cyclophosphamide.  There are all kinds of side effects for cyclophosphamide ... nausea, hair loss and low blood counts plus more.  It will make her immune system even weaker so she is at more risk of infection.  The good news is that this combination has shown a 75% response rate with 31% of patients achieving complete recovery.  She will take cyclophosphamide four Sundays in a row.  She has to drink 3 quarts of water throughout the day making sure to check her urine for blood every 2 hours.  One of the main risks with this chemo is potential damage to the bladder -- therefore, you have to check often to make sure that you are able to tolerate the drug.  Do the joys of cancer ever cease?