Nausea, there's a drug for that.
Hiccups, there's a drug for that.
Pain, there's lots of drugs for that...

The medicine cabinet of a cancer patient is extensive and remarkably well stocked. It's fascinating to know that the side effects of treatment can be managed by prescription and even the side-effects of the prescriptions can be managed by more prescriptions. Being proactive and knowing your body well is the most important part. For Adam, it's one giant first-person science experiment.

Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells. Although an ideal drug would destroy cancer cells without harming normal cells, most drugs are not that selective. Instead, drugs are designed to inflict greater damage on cancer cells than on normal cells, typically by using drugs that affect a cell's ability to grow and/or ability to replicate DNA. Uncontrolled and rapid growth is characteristic of cancer cells. However, because normal cells also need to grow, and some grow quite rapidly (such as those in the bone marrow and those lining the mouth and intestine), all chemotherapy drugs affect normal cells and cause side effects.
 
Damage to these healthy cells may produce various side effects, including:
-         tiredness
-         feeling sick and vomiting
-         diarrhea or constipation
-         loss of appetite
-         thinning of hair or hair loss
-         getting infections more easily
-         sore mouth, mouth ulcers and changes in your sense of taste
-         numbness or 'pins and needles' in your hands and feet
-         changes in hearing - some people get tinnitus (a ringing sound in your ears)
-         breathlessness
-         skin changes - skin may become dry and discolored
 
Many side effects can be controlled using other medicines. For example, infections can be reduced using antibiotics medicines while hair loss can be easily countered with the use of hats.
 
Side effects can vary greatly between the different types of chemotherapy and between people. One person can be quite ill with chemotherapy, while another may be able to continue working. Luckily for Adam, the side effects have been quite manageable, mostly because he has learned to read his body well. If he can get ahead of the symptoms, his medicine cabinet has an answer for easing the side effects.
 
One of the most remarkable drugs used to combat low white blood counts (Neutropenia) is a shot called G-CSF, tested at Sloan Kettering and now used by more than one million patients. Scientists at Sloan demonstrated that G-CSF accelerated the restoration of neutrophils (white cells that protect against bacteria) in patients following chemotherapy, reducing the frequency and severity of infections and shortening patient recovery time. Although some family members are squeamish about needles, any one of us is happy to stick Adam with the G-CSF shot knowing it speeds his recovery. Marketed since 1991, and thanks to Sloan, G-CSF has become the standard of care in hospitals around the world.
 
It's important to note that most side effects are temporary and will eventually pass once treatment is over. Meanwhile, Adam will continue to observe and report on what's happening to him.

   Despite having great insurance, my family is constantly faced with huge health care bills. There are many costs that are simply not covered by insurance. Luckily for me. I have great friends and family. Among them are Paul Elliott and the staff at Great Rock who have given me the opportunity to combine my love of golf with a fundraiser.
     Living and enjoying life has taken on a whole new meaning! So come join me on May 17th for a great game of golf and some bragging about our prowess on the course at dinner.

For more information, visit www.adamlamson.com