Xander Rhys Lowry

Phase Three
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Dec. and Jan. Medications and Pictures

During Phase III of Xander's chemo treatment he will be taking Mecaptopurine tablets daily, and Methotrexate both in spinal form on day one and day 28 and orally on all other Thursdays during phase III. The pictures below will be changed to reflect Xander's emotional and physical well being during this phase as it progresses. Side effects and risks of his current drugs are listed at the bottom of this page. Its our experience that on these medications Xander suffers nausea and fatigue as well as further hair loss, but thank goodness no more low blood counts. Of course any of the listed symptoms can show up at any time.

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This dino represents the first week of phase three. It will be replaced as Xander's picture is developed.

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This dino represents the second week of phase three. It will be replaced as Xander's picture is developed.

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This dino represents the third week of phase three. It will be replaced as Xander's picture is developed.

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This dino represents the fourth week of phase three. It will be replaced as Xander's picture is developed.

Phase II Medications and Side Effects
 
Mercaptorpurine is one of the main medications Xander will take during phase 3 of his chemo treatment. This medication is taken daily in a pill form. Xander will not take pills that are not in a gel cap form so this pill is crushed and in capsulated daily. In phase one Xander had nausea and mouth sores with this medication, but a list of possible side effects are below.
 
Common:
low blood counts
 
Less Common:
mouth sores
skin rash/acne
mild nausea
abnormal liver function tests
 
Methotrexate is the other medication Xander will be taking. It will be administered by spinal on day 1 and day 28. Every other Thursday it will be given orally. The side effects are listed below.
 
Common:
mouth sores
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
abnormal liver function tests
 
Less Common:
kidney damage
headache, drowsiness, blurred vision
low blood counts 1 to 2 weeks after treatment
hair loss
skin sensitivity to sunlight
darkening of the skin
eyes sensitive to sunlight
 
Xander suffered from nausea and vomiting, headache, drowsiness, sunlight sensitivity, hair loss, mouth sores, and loss of appetite when he took this drug during phase one. To counteract the nausea and vomiting he takes Zofran during and for two days after a Methotrexate treatment.
 
Zofran has its own list of side effects, but so far Xander has not suffered from any. I've listed them below, but the largest problem with Zofran is the cost. Thank goodness for insurance, the 16 pills we purchased in phase 2 were over $350 before insurance!!!!!!!
 
Common:
constipation
diarrhea
headache
fever
dizziness
dry mouth
skin rash
shortness of breath
 
Xander also takes Phenergan each night to counter act the nausea effects of the Mercaptopurine. This medication is very gentle on Xander's system except in its sedating effects. The first time Xander had it he passed out for 4 hours during which time we would not have been able to wake him if we tried. By cutting the dose in 1/4 we are able to avoid nausea and vomiting with only drowsiness. Since this is taken at bedtime its not a bad effect. We did try to take this in the morning before art class once. That was a terrible mistake. He was totally unable to respond to his instructor or her assistant until drug wore off.