From: "Dr. D. Kossove" <doctordee@telkomsa.net>
Subject: AIM
Date: Saturday, January 10, 2004 12:56 AM

Date:    Fri, 9 Jan 2004 11:02:45 -0800
From:    Kimbrell <holibrel@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: Re: Plan of AIM

Hi Candace,

I took high dose AIM (90 mg/m2 of Adriamycin) for six cycles from 12/2000 -
5/2001.

I had always said I would never have chemo, but I did it.  I was scared (I
don't scare easily), but it was doable.  I have some helpful tips based on
my experience, and can tell you sort of what to expect based on my
experience.  Please feel free to email me any time during your cycles.

Most importantly ... drink, drink, drink.  I drank Dasani bottled water
because it's processed with reverse osmosis that I read kills a certain
bacteria found in regular bottled water that can be harmful to chemo
patients.  I gave the article re. the bacteria (and it's name) to the nurse.
I don't remember what the bacteria was.  I cut the article from the
newspaper.

Fatigue:  You're having 75 mg/m2 of Adriamycin which will make it easier for
you ... I didn't say easy!  Fatigue is the biggest problem and just go with
it.  Sleep when you need to, stay in bed when you need to, and ask for help
when you need it.  The side effects are cumulative in that they get worse
with each cycle.

Port:  I had a low profile double lumen port which became my best friend.
I'm quite small and thin so the low profile was better for me.  The nurses
can 'freeze' your skin with a spray before inserting needles into the port.
Then the needles don't hurt.  Others on the list didn't like the spray, and
just had the needles.

Teeth:  It's a good idea to get your teeth cleaned before starting chemo,
and the dentist also gave me a daily fluoride mouth 'swish' to help protect
the teeth.  There's a magic mouthwash for sores that develop with cycle 2 or
3 about the second week after infusion.  The oncologist can give you a
prescription for this.

Ifosfamide:  Ifosfamide definitely affects thinking and makes thinking slow
during and a couple days after the  infusion.  I wouldn't drive the days of
infusion or a couple days after.

Antioxidants:  I was also told not the same thing and stopped taking
everything except prescribed medications.

Infections:  Levoquin (broad spectrum antibiotic - 500 mg tablets) started 5
days after the infusion stopped until cycle 5 then it began the day after
the infusion stopped.  I took it for at least 1 week each time.

        Neupogen injections for white blood count began day last day of chemo and
continued daily for at least 10 days (my husband gave me the injections at
home).

        Procrit injections for red blood count began 3 days after last of chemo and
I had 1 or 2 injections per week as needed based on the RBC.

        Red blood cell transfusions were given after cycles 3, 4, and 6 because red
blood count was too low even after Procrit injections.

Hair:  Your hair will fall out.  I think it starts about 10 - 12 days after
the first infusion.  It will be messy when it's falling out so I would
suggest cutting it super short first.  It also feels like little pin pricks
all over your scalp so I felt it was a relief when it was all gone.  I went
a different direction from many on this list and bought 4 wigs ranging from
super long to super short so I could be whoever I felt like being for the
day.

I never ate any raw foods.  I cooked all fruits and vegetables, or ate
canned fruits and vegetables.

Again, please let me know if I can answer any further questions for you.

Linda Joy
1/97 - Hysterectomy
7/98 - Retroperitoneal, Surgery w/clear margins
10/00 - Recurrence, Surgery w/o clear margins
12/00 - 5/01 - AIM, Adria 90 mg/m2
Last scan 9/03 - clear

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