The Red Devil

I think the most frequent question I get asked about my cancer, was the treatment. I know my treatment is ABVD. I know the drugs are Adriamycin, Bleomycin, and Viznblastine but I always forget the D. So here I am putting it on my blog, for my future reference and anyone else's. That drug is: Dacarbazine. This is the usual combination of drugs used to treat Hodgkin's Lymphoma. These drugs saved my life. I think it is important I know what they are right? I got this regimen every 2 weeks.

What is the red devil? That would be the Adriamycin. This clever little drug liked to turn the pee a beautiful red color. Luckily they warned me about this side effect. I always ended up going to the bathroom during my treatments of course. I was pregnant and sitting there for HOURS. I was always prepared for the red devil. It never failed to prove itself. The drug was red and pushed in slowly over several minutes. This is also the drug I believe caused my preterm contractions. I always always got them during the push. I suppose it could have been a delayed effect from the previous drugs but nah. It was like clockwork. It was the only serious side effect related to my pregnancy I had. Normally a little rest and it went away. But the last two treatments it landed me in the hospital. Things went well though and in the end I delivered a beautiful little lady who was 36 weeks along but I had already had the the steroid injections to help her lungs along during my preterm contractions. She was perfectly healthy and well.

So that's my story about the red devil. It earned it's name. As for information on ABVD? I found a great link. Go here for details: http://www.lymphomainfo.net/therapy/chemotherapy/abvd.html.