Jeremy's treatment plan

Many have asked what Jeremy's treatment plan is so here it is for those who are interested.

Chemo is a 3 week cycle.  Jeremy's chemo day is Tuesday. He will receive chemo for 42 weeks.

The first week he receives three chemo medications and we call it the VAC (Vincristine, Actinomycin-D, Cyclophosphamide) week.  All chemo meds are given through an IV.  Jeremy has a "port" that was surgically placed on his chest for easy access for IV, medications, and blood draws. On VAC weeks Jeremy is hospitalized for 24 hours at Primary Children's Hospital.  This week is sever nausea (there is medication to help with this, and it did help Jeremy), loss of appetite and tired.

The second week Jeremy receives one chemo med.(Vincristine)  This is done at the Oncology Clinic at Primary's and is out patient.  The second week his ANC (blood test that shows Jeremy's ability to fight infection) count will be the lowest and he will be extremely tired.  His ANC count was 400 yesterday.  On chemo 500 is best.  A normal ANC count is about 3,000-5,000.  This is why it is so very important that we protect Jeremy from germs and avoid contact with individuals who are sick.

The third week Jeremy receives Vincristine, out patient.  This week his body has had a chance to produce more white blood cells and his ANC count will go up a little.  He will also start to feel less tired.  Just when he starts to feel a little better, it will be time to start the cycle again with the VAC meds.

Radiation will start sometime in November.  We will make the daily drive to the Huntsman Center for radiation Mon-Fri for six weeks.  Jeremy will continue his chemo while on radiation.