Interesting to observe side effects of drugs first-hand.
Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment of brain edema (swelling) in brain tumors. Dexamethasone is the steroid given in the majority of neuro-oncologic patients, at varying doses. Fortunately I am on a low enough dose (2 mg twice daily) to avoid the well-known and serious side effects of corticosteroid therapy.
A retrospective chart review of 88 patients treated with whole brain radiotherapy was conducted for a 6-month period to document steroid doses prescribed, tapering schedules, and steroid side effects. The most frequently documented steroid-related side effects were increased appetite (32%), proximal muscle weakness (28%), and insomnia (21%), which is pretty much consistent with my experience.
A survey of oncologists who manage patients with brain metastases was conducted at the same institution. The most common side effects noted by physicians were increased appetite or weight gain (46%), insomnia (24%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (20%).
Sturdza A, Millar BA, Bana N, et al. The use and toxicity of steroids in the management of patients with brain metastases.
Support Care Cancer 2008;16:1041-8.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Happy 70th birthday, John Lennon
"Imagine"
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Priceless quote of the day
In today's Wall Street Journal, Matthew Kaminski, a member of the Journal's editorial board, writes an article about U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold from my sister Myrna's state of Wisconsin, "Wisconsin sours on its self-styled maverick." He quotes Mr. Feingold's opponent, Ron Johnson: Most of all, he adds, "people get" the threat from ObamaCare. "I really do think that health care is the single biggest assault on our freedom in my lifetime," he adds, "designed to lead to a single-payer system, a government takeover, Canadian-style...."
Brilliant.... You read what he said, but what does he mean? Does he think health care reform is the biggest assault on our freedom, or that expanding health care coverage to 30 million uninsured Americans is bad, or that health care in this country is just fine as it is, because he has health insurance? You've got some 'splaining to do, Mr. Johnson.
Brilliant.... You read what he said, but what does he mean? Does he think health care reform is the biggest assault on our freedom, or that expanding health care coverage to 30 million uninsured Americans is bad, or that health care in this country is just fine as it is, because he has health insurance? You've got some 'splaining to do, Mr. Johnson.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Lucy is 3 today, October 8
Happy Birthday, Sweetheart! We will celebrate Lucy's birthday next weekend when Pete and Tracy are in Portland, killing two birds with one stone, so to speak, since Tracy's birthday is the 15th of October.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Bucket List trip to Wallawa Mountains
I am due for my second Avastin infusion Monday afternoon, October 11.
On the 12th we will be taking a quick three-day, two-night trip to the Wallowa Mountains. Although billed as America's"Little Switzerland," the Wallowa Mountains of northeastern Oregon are actually more similar to California's Sierra Nevada. The mountains are a stunningly beautiful mix of white granite peaks, sparkling lakes and streams, alpine meadows, and attractive forests. We will stay at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast in the community of Joseph, OR. Artists, especially bronze artists, thrive in Joseph, home to many galleries and restaurants. We have never been there, so we are looking forward to the trip. We will be going with our friends John and Judy Jendrzejewski, Pete's in-laws.
On the 12th we will be taking a quick three-day, two-night trip to the Wallowa Mountains. Although billed as America's"Little Switzerland," the Wallowa Mountains of northeastern Oregon are actually more similar to California's Sierra Nevada. The mountains are a stunningly beautiful mix of white granite peaks, sparkling lakes and streams, alpine meadows, and attractive forests. We will stay at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast in the community of Joseph, OR. Artists, especially bronze artists, thrive in Joseph, home to many galleries and restaurants. We have never been there, so we are looking forward to the trip. We will be going with our friends John and Judy Jendrzejewski, Pete's in-laws.
Irrelevance in the news
Justin Bieber
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
NASCAR sprint cup
Ryder cup
Lindsay Lohan
Alberto Contador
Traditional CPR (skip mouth-to-mouth; chest-only compressions is in)
Lincoln-Mercury dealers
Tiger Woods
Avandia
Miley Cyrus
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
NASCAR sprint cup
Ryder cup
Lindsay Lohan
Alberto Contador
Traditional CPR (skip mouth-to-mouth; chest-only compressions is in)
Lincoln-Mercury dealers
Tiger Woods
Avandia
Miley Cyrus
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