March 31, 2017 - Last day of chemo

Fatigue has hit new lows -- I tell folks that my 'tires are deflated' but that is probably an understatement.  I received my last dose of chemo and what follows is some information for those who want to know...
I have decided that the areas left after my chemo shots is more like an itchy, red, painful swollen wasp sting.  As Jan says, it looks like my arms and abdomen were part of a paint ball fight!

I inquired about the cost of the AZACITIDINE (I get 150mg in two shots) ... Each two shot day is $2100 or $10500 per cycle...Insurance will pick up some of this - we'll have to see :-(

===========Here is some info on how azacitidine works for those interested=========
Azacitidine is a member of a new class of drugs known as DNA "demethylating" agents.  Methylation of DNA is a major mechanism that regulates gene expression in cells.  When there is an increase in DNA methylation this can result in the blockage of the activity of "suppressor genes" that regulate cell division and growth.  When suppressor genes are blocked, cell division becomes unregulated, allowing or promoting cancer.

Azacitidine's anticancer effects are believed to be twofold.   One way that it works is by demethylation or interfering with the methylation of DNA.  By this process of demethylation, normal function to the tumor suppressor genes is restored, thus restoring control over cell growth.

Azacitidine also belongs to the category of chemotherapy called antimetabolites.  Antimetabolites are very similar to normal substances within the cell.  When the cells incorporate these substances into the cellular metabolism, they interact with a number of targets within the cell to produce a direct cytotoxic effect that causes death of rapidly dividing cancer cells.

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