By its very nature, cancer is unpredictable. And true to form, many aspects of the treatment are equally enigmatic. Let’s take for example: side effects.
Popular Media has done a good job showing us one end of the spectrum of side effects. Vomiting, hair loss, loss of appetite, weight loss. These are very real results for many people contending with their treatments. I on the other hand, have had the great fortune of thus far dodging these post-treatment bullets – and managing some very minor nausea with the old pregnancy approach; lots of little meals. However, I’m not too foolish or deluded enough to allow myself to believe that I have escaped these possibilities. I’ll assume that at some point I too will be “driving the bus,” “Doing the Daddy Warbucks,” and tapping into the Zofran prescription (anti-nausea meds) I have waiting on my pill shelf. I’ll prepare for the worst and take whatever comes – equal to or less than that.
Turns out that science has challenged themselves to increase the efficacy (effectiveness) of the drugs while also increasing their tolerability (lessening side effects). If there is even such a thing as a good time to have cancer (it’s not like I had a choice) now would be that time. Medicines are getting better, treatments are getting more patient-friendly, and research is moving faster than ever. I have every reason to be optimistic.
