What is chemotherapy?

I thought it was about time I asked a question I've been wondering for a while - “Why are you injecting me with such serious poison?”. I got the following answer which just about explained the whole thing to me: Chemotherapy works by killing cells (with poison) .  This kills all cells but  cancer cells grow faster so it kills them sooner.  Like lawn mowing taller grasses. Eventually once they’re gone, the chemo stops and normal cells can continue to grow. Hair and skin cells also grow fast so they’re collateral damage in the wholesale onslaught of cell killing.

There are a number of different drugs involved in chemo to try to offset the mass of killing of normal, non cancerous cells and to mitigate the effects of losing healthy cells.

Wigtime

There is a small amount of money available to buy wigs for people who have lost their hair to chemotherapy. It seemed very generous until I saw the prices of wigs. There's a company who sell wigs and have an arrangement to come and discuss and show some of their wigs. I’d arranged to meet Steph, the rep to have a chat and try some on. My mum and neighbour joined the party to help me judge. I was just about up to it after being completely knocked out by the methotrexate and feeling very seasick. I woke up enough to try a few on but it wasn’t the Paris or Milan show I’d been picturing.

Dial M for Methotrexate

Prehydration started last night at about 11.30 and will continue long after the methotrexate which I had  at some point this morning.  Assuming these don’t make me too unwell, I should be well for Steph, the wig lady to visit with some wig samples to try on.

Methotrexate is a chemotherapy agent and immune system suppressant. It is one of the serious ones that make hair fall out, skin dry, mouth ulcers etc.