I feel so bad for my little sister (funny ... lol ... she's way taller than I am). She had to be admitted to the hospital Monday for a special kind of chemo treatment that "protects" the cells in her brain just in case the lymphoma wants to run away from its attackers, and head for the hills (so to speak).
Her treatment consisted of an infusion of Methotrexate Monday night, with the antodote, Leucovorin, given the next day. I did do research into both so that I could better understand why and also so I could be aware of any side effects she might encounter. In order to describe the exact workings of the Methotrexate to my reading audience, I would have to have a degree in chemistry - barring this, suffice it to say that this drug does as I explained above, however, it also causes toxic effects to the rapidly-dividing cells of bone marrow and gastrointestinal mucosa. The Leocovorin is used as a "rescue" treatment to put the much need folic acid back into the bone marrow and GI tract.
My poor little Cancer Kid is having an extremely difficult time swallowing anything right now because her throat is raw. We believe it is due to the treatment. At least that is what we are hoping. If not the case, her immune system is totally shot and she has one rip-roaring sore throat due to either a viral or a bacterial infection. Why is it that no one (in her immediate family) will take steps to make sure she doesn't get their germs? Am I the only who cares?
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