What doesn't kill you makes you stronger?

Sam had a pretty rough day today, August 14th, and if his first chemo treatment was any indication of how things will go this time; over the weekend he will feel worse. I hope I'm wrong.

Cisplatin is the chemo drug Sam was given again on Tuesday. Wednesday the nausea symptoms were a little worse and today they were worse yet. One of the side effects of this drug is hypomagnesemia and Sam's levels were low enough today that he needed an IV push of Magnesium.

It's funny how we go about our daily lives without giving much thought to the incredible inner workings of our body. I read in an article that Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body.

The article also said that, "Magnesium is a mineral needed by every cell of your body. About half of your body's magnesium stores are found inside cells of body tissues and organs, and half are combined with calcium and phosphorus in bone. Only 1% of the magnesium in your body is found in blood. Your body works very hard to keep blood levels of magnesium constant."

"The danger of Magnesium deficiency can cause metabolic changes that may contribute to heart attacks and strokes. There is also evidence that low body stores of magnesium increase the risk of abnormal heart rhythms, which may increase the risk of complications associated with a heart attack."

So, the lesson is - eat your dark green, leafy vegetables, almonds, brown rice, bananas, dried apricots, and avocados.

If you want to read more about magnesium: http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/TOPIC274.HTM
http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/ymai/article/abstracts

Fortunately, as Nurse Nanette told us on Tuesday, they have treated enough people to know what to look for and I feel pretty confident that they are on top of this issue.

The outcome of Sam's meeting with Shelly, the dietitian, was predictable. Sam was not able to increase his food intake enough and she has ordered a drip-feed unit. The visiting nurse will come tomorrow and will work out how Sam will use the equipment. Apparently part of the magnesium problem came about because he's not eating enough to keep his magnesium levels up. So, hopefully taking food more slowly through a drip-feed will be the answer.

So, we pray. Pray for physical strength for Sam and that he will be able to increase his food intake with the change to the drip-feed method. We thank God that we are blessed with such good medical care for Sam.

Maddy