Cancer drug scandal

Have you heard the drama about the "watered down" chemotherapy drugs in Ontario and New Brunswick?

• http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2013/04/02/incorrect-dosages-given-to-290-cancer-patients-windsor-regional-hospital-over-past-year/
• http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2013/04/04/province-to-launch-third-party-investigation-of-cancer-drug-scandal/

Due to a manufacturer's error (allegedly), several hospitals have given two medications at 5-20% less than the intended dose. My dear Luis was one of those patients. Luis received a handful of doses of cyclophosphamide in London within the last year. Although he is believed to have received one dose that was affected, his doctor feels that he should be ok and Luis will continue his current path of treatment.

What a nightmare. You find out your child is sick with a life-threatening illness, then you find out someone screwed up his meds. We're really lucky that he wasn't heavily relying on the drug as a core part of his treatment and that it was only one dose. I can only imagine how the family of patients who have passed within this time frame are feeling. Wondering 'what if'. It's emotional to think about.

I think we were really lucky. Some would say we'd be luckier if he wasn't affected by the 'cancer drug scandal'. Even luckier if he never got cancer. We're here now so I see no point in trying to change the past. I like to look forward and on the bright side. Luis' treatment is on course with an excellent prognosis and only a few minor issues along the way.

Speaking of minor issues....

Well, we had a minor issue this week. Luis awoke with a fever last night. That meant a trip to the hospital to check his blood counts and run some tests. His neutrophils were low, 0.6 (i.e. his immunity was low), but fortunately, he wasn't neutropenic, 0.5 (i.e. his body can still fight infections to some extent). Otherwise, it would have been a minimum stay of two days in the hospital. We just squeaked by. The doctor ordered X-rays of his chest and sinuses. He has a sinus infection and was put on antibiotics. Just another day in the life. Really, the sinus infection has nothing to do with the cancer. We just need to ensure it is treated so we're not facing secondary infections because of his low immunity. Like I said, just minor issues along the way.

-- Mommy