Mucositis and no neutrophils

Catherine has mucositis, the painful inflammation and ulceration of the mouth and digestive tract.

It is no wonder she has had a painful tummy. Yesterday, she stopped speaking because of the pain in her mouth, and only today did we spot ulcers which had formed on her bottom lip. She is also only eating soft foods. The Consultant said she also has an ulcer in her mouth and on her tongue. This condition is a side effect of one of her chemotherapy drugs - Methotrexate. He said it could be very painful.

Mucositis at this stage in her treatment was a bit of a shock to us as it is usually something experienced during the intensive blocks of chemotherapy. We hadn't even considered it as an option before we saw the Consultant today. Also, because we have had no real side effects from her treatment until now, it added to the feeling of shock. However, we are relieved to know what is going on.

Chemotherapy kills off all the fast growing cells, and this includes those in the mouth and stomach. She also has no neutrophils (absolutely no immune system), which is why the mucositis has become so bad.

We have been told to continue her antacids as this will help relieve her tummy while the ulcers heal. She now has a special mouthwash, lots of painkillers, and a gel to help her mouth heal.

So now Catherine is on:
Anti-sickness medicine
Gaviscon
Omeprazole for stomach acid
Preventative medicine against chest infections
Painkillers
Medicated gel mouthwash
Gel

They have stopped her chemotherapy until she recovers. Normally she takes these drugs:
Methotrexate (weekly)
Mercaptapurine (daily)
Vincristine (monthly)and Dexamethasone (steroid for five days a month)
Methotrexate into her spinal fluid (every three months)

She is going to be off school for quite a while as she is just too poorly to go in. She was upset when I told her as she was excited about going to the canteen for school dinners 'all on her own without mummy and daddy'.

Thank God that we have a Consultant who is both very compassionate towards Catherine and also very skilled. Whilst he said that it is a sad problem for her, he also said that he is pleased she is neutropenic, because if she never became neutropenic in her treatment, they would not be pushing the treatment hard enough to ensure she remains free from Leukaemia.

Please pray that she heals quickly and that her neutrophils bounce back as soon as possible. Please also pray that she doesn't get any more side effects or infections.