Having completed the first two rounds of induction therapy, the landscape of my daily routine transformed into a meticulous dance of medications, each serving a distinct purpose in averting nausea, fortifying against infections, and mitigating toxicity. Let’s delve into the breakdown of my prescribed regimen.
To set the stage, upon entering therapy, I bid adieu to alcohol, soda, coffee, and energy drinks. My daily beverage of choice became water, a steadfast companion at a consumption rate of at least 64oz.
- Allopurinol: Affectionately dubbed my “gout” pill, Allopurinol orchestrated a remarkable flush of my system. Its tenure in my regimen was brief, owing to potential side effects, including rare occurrences of blistering and burns. Frequent urination became my ally, expeditiously purging the chemo from my system. The first week witnessed a notable loss of 10 lbs in water weight.
- Acyclovir: A steadfast defender against infections, I playfully nicknamed this pill my “transformer” pill, owing to its uncanny resemblance to the iconic Transformers symbol. Administered twice daily, Acyclovir stood guard throughout all six cycles.
- Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim (SMZ/TMP): Earning the moniker of my “horse” pill due to its substantial size, SMZ/TMP made its appearance exclusively on Saturdays and Sundays. This pill, a vital guardian against infections, recognized the heightened vulnerability induced by chemo’s impact on my immune system.
- Famotidine (Pepcid): Prescribed twice a day, two hours post-acalabrutinib consumption, Pepcid assumed the role of an ulcer deterrent, a preemptive measure against potential side effects of the study drug. Managing dehydration posed a challenge, given the pill’s tendency to exacerbate this concern.
- Ondansetron: A cornerstone in my anti-nausea arsenal, Ondansetron featured in the pre-treatment “cocktail” medications. Its scheduled deployment involved twice daily intake on days 3 and 4 of each cycle, with the option for as-needed use if nausea surfaced. Timing was key, ensuring ingestion before the onset of vomiting for optimal efficacy. Post-day 5 of each cycle, Ondansetron gracefully bowed out.
- Acalabrutnib: The protagonist of my therapeutic journey, the study drug Acalabrutnib made its appearance twice daily during cycles 1 through 3. The intricacies of its timing during subsequent cycles will unfold in a future post.
Kudos to my inaugural chemo nurse, Noreen, for equipping me with two 1-week pill containers, simplifying the division of pills by day. A meticulously crafted pill calendar became my visual guide, allowing me to track the daily regimen with precision.