Chemotherapy Treatment #2

(Photo courtesy of FreeFoto.com)

Mike had his second chemotherapy treatment today and Judy said he is doing much better than what he did a few weeks ago at his first treatment.

He wasn't feeling well at all this weekend. The pain in his back was really bad so today at chemotherapy they gave him a morphine shot and a prescription for Percocet. Hopefully he will be able to get some relief. I have read that cancer pain, particularly when it has metastasized to the bones, is the worst pain there is.

From an article on the Oncology Channel website about pain:

Studies have shown that 90% of patients with advanced cancer experience severe pain and that pain occurs in 30% of all cancer patients, regardless of the stage of the disease. As many as 50% of patients may be undertreated for cancer pain, yet not all cancer patients fell pain, and pain is rarely a sign of early cancer. Pain usually increases as cancer progresses.

The most common cancer pain is from tumors that metastasize to the bone. As many as 60% - 80% of cancer patients with bone metastasis experience pain.

The second most common cancer pain is caused by tumors infiltrating the nerve and hollow viscus. Tumors near neural structiures may cause the most severe pain.

The third most common pain associated with cancer occurs as a result of chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.

Judy said that Mike will have 10 more chemotherapy treatments and he has blood work throughout the treatment process to make sure that his cell counts are okay.