6MP

This week Austin is starting Consolidation and part of this phase is taking Mercaptopurine or 6MP as they nickname it.  It is a medication that works by stopping the growth of cancer cells.  Austin is supposed to take it on an the same time every day on an empty stomach without milk or citrus products for better absorption.  Easy right?  Yeah right.  This means Austin has to take it right before bed at least an hour after eating anything else.  He likes drinking milk to take his pills so he is trying to get used to drinking water instead.  A major side effect of this medication is nausea.  Two mornings in a row Austin woke up nauseous and reluctant to get out of bed.  Finally his brilliant mom decided to try giving him Zofran at bedtime with the 6MP, and Ta Da!  Nausea gone.  Wish I'd thought of that sooner!  Zofran is a miracle drug as far as I'm concerned.  Austin will be on this medication for most of his 3 year treatment so hopefully he will get used to it and have less nausea.

"This medicine may lower your ability to fight off infections. 

 Avoid contact with people who have contagious diseases."

  Ha!!!  Biggest "duh!" of the year!