Taking Vitamins During Cancer Treatment
Teacher Tells Mother That She Cannot Give Her Daughter 'Special Treatment' While She's Going Through Chemo
After a mother was forced to pull her daughter out of school due to serious health conditions, her teacher made it clear that she would not make any exceptions for the little girl despite her ailing health.
When the frustrated mother took to social media to vent about the teacher, she was told that the teacher was "just doing her job."
Now, the mother is wondering if she acted too harshly.
Sharing her story to Reddit, the woman revealed that her 11-year-old daughter is undergoing chemotherapy in a different state. "We've been here for one month now and will likely stay for three more," the woman wrote.
Photo: FatCamera / Canva Pro
Before leaving the state, the mother alerted her daughter's school of the situation and warned them she would be absent for an extended period of time.
The school still expected the sick girl to attend class online to keep up with her assignments.
"I told the principal and my daughter's teacher that she would do work/sign onto the class when she felt well enough, but school is not our main priority right now," the woman wrote.
Unfortunately, the woman's daughter has been struggling with her chemo symptoms and is barely able to get out of bed most days, making schoolwork next to impossible.
Photo: Gorodenkoff / Shutterstock
One day, when the mother happened to look at her daughter's grades and report card online, she noticed that her teacher had marked each one of her absences as "unexcused."
"I immediately called the school, and they said there was nothing they could do, and I had to talk to her teacher directly," the woman shared.
The girl's teacher claimed no exceptions could be made over her missing assignments."So I called the teacher, and she told me all about how she couldn't cater to every individual child's needs and lockdown has made her life so hard we shouldn't expect 'special treatment.'"
However, the woman was adamant an exception should be made for her child, considering all she was going through.
"I asked that she please change the absences to excused. She said no and then started telling me about all the missing work my daughter has to keep up on," the woman wrote.
The mother learned that if her daughter does not make up all the work, she will have to repeat the grade.
After reaching out to the school principal and counselor, the mother was directed to speak with the teacher, who stood by her original statement. She claimed how difficult it was for her to offer virtual lessons and repeated that she could not make any exceptions for the woman's daughter.
The mother decided to pull her daughter out of that school and enroll her in a new public school.Still, she was outraged on her daughter's behalf. "I wrote a post on the county Facebook page ranting about it," she revealed. "I didn't include the teacher's name, but I did include the school, and there are only two teachers per grade, and the other teacher in her grade is a man, so it was pretty easy to guess which one I was talking about."
Many parents in the community who had their children enrolled in the same class as the woman's daughter publicly stated that they would consider pulling their children out of the class in response to her social media post.
Photo: FatCamera / Canva Pro
However, after the school principal saw the post, she sent an email to the mother. "I got an email from the principal saying this is harassment, and the teacher did nothing wrong and is just going through a hard time, and that I need to cut her some slack," the woman wrote.
Now, the woman is asking others if she crossed a line.
Many people believed the mother's frustrations were valid, considering her daughter's current condition."Maybe the teacher is having a hard time, but it's not a reason or excuse to be unreasonable about the difficult time that your daughter is going through," one Redditor commented.
"That's ridiculous. She's hospitalized. While it's great to do school work, both for her education and normal activity, it is absolutely not the priority," another user noted. "Chemo is [expletive] and this teacher sounds like Satan."
"You did the right thing by pulling your kid and letting other parents know about the situation. The principal is 100% wrong to not intervene and leave the decision ultimately up to the teacher when there is an extenuating circumstance such as your child's," another user wrote.
Luckily, the mother shared in the comments section that she is working on her daughter's IEP (Individualized Learning Plan) with her new teachers, and they have been much more accommodating.
Photo: Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock
Still, her daughter's story raises the question of whether education is really worth risking one's health and even one's life for.
Related Stories From YourTango:For most sensible people, the answer is an easy no.
Health should always come first. School is important, but not at the expense of your well-being.Without health, academic achievements lose their significance.
It is important to note that chemotherapy comes with extremely difficult-to-manage side effects, including constant nausea and vomiting, hair loss, rashes, mouth sores, fatigue, and migraines.
Anyone would struggle to focus on their schoolwork while dealing with these symptoms, let alone an 11-year-old child.
Being a teacher requires you not only to educate but to have compassion for your students.
You have no idea what kind of battles they are enduring outside the classroom.
Megan Quinn is a writer at YourTango who covers entertainment and news, self, love, and relationships.
'Chemo Overdose' - Silent Crisis Killing Hundreds Of Americans Each Year And Hospitalizes Up To One In 50
Experts have sounded the alarm about hundreds of cancer patients dying preventable deaths due to a lethal side effect of chemotherapy treatment.
The complication, which affects one in 50 patients, destroys healthy cells in the body, eventually leading to multiple organ failure and, in the worst cases, death.
It effects those given some of the most common types of chemotherapy who lack specific enzymes required to metabolize the drug.
Experts say there are tests to determine the unlucky patients who will suffer the adverse effect - but not enough doctors are using them.
Dr Steven Offer, a cancer researcher and associate professor of pathology at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, told CBC News: 'One thing that strikes home is these patients are dying because of their treatment … and not necessarily dying because the cancer has progressed.'
Carol Rosen, 70, died after taking a routine dose of the chemotherapy pill capecitabine
They have also urged public health authorities to provide clear warning labels on medications.
Dr Daniel Hertz, a pharmacist and associate professor at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, told KFF Health News: 'FDA has responsibility to assure that drugs are used safely and effectively.'
Failing to do so, he said, 'is an abdication of their responsibility.'
One patient to suffer the devastating complication is Carol Rosen, a 70-year-old retired teacher in Massachusetts, who began taking chemotherapy pills for metastatic breast cancer in January 2021.
In the weeks to come, she suffered severe diarrhea, nausea, and mouth sores that kept her from eating, drinking, and speaking.
The skin peeled off her body, and her kidneys and liver shut down.
'Your body burns from the inside out,' Ms Rosen's daughter, Lindsay Murray, told KFF News.
Ms Rosen had an on capecitabine - the pill form of chemotherapy known to cause the problem, taken by more than 275,000 cancer patients across the US.
Instead of killing her cancer, capecitabine attacked surrounding organs until she eventually died, making her one out of hundreds of patients a year to lose her life to what is supposed to be lifesaving chemotherapy.
Another type of chemotherapy known to elicit similarly serious complications in those lacking specific enzymes is fluorouracil (also commonly known as 5FU).
A report published by BMJ Oncology estimates that a record two million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year. About half of those will receive chemotherapy or radiation, according to the CDC.
Chemotherapy is a drug treatment meant to kill fast-growing cells like cancer cells.
There are several different drug options in chemotherapy, and the specific one a patient is prescribed depends on their form of cancer, how aggressive it is, and other factors like pre-existing conditions.
However, while the drug is meant to kill malignant cells, its main risk is that it can also destroy healthy cells around them like blood cells and hair follicles.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), this can lead to side effects like fatigue, hair loss, easy bruising, anemia, nausea, vomiting, appetite changes, weight changes, skin and nail changes, difficulty concentrating, bladder issues, mood changes, and fertility problems.
But these complications can be especially deadly if a patient has an extremely toxic reaction to certain chemotherapy medications, or is given the drugs in unreasonably high doses.
This can lead to dangerous symptoms like extremely slow heart rate, heart attack, convulsions, pain during urination, slow breathing, severe pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, high fever, heavy bleeding, and coma.
In the UK, it is now recommended that doctors test for the genetic predisposition to chemotherapy complications, after cases like that of Keith Gadd (pictured) came to light. The 73-year-old farmer had started taking capecitabine in 2018 and after five days using the drug his health deteriorated
'Chemotherapy is designed to kill cells under the premise that cancer cells are dividing and growing faster, and are more susceptible to the chemotherapy than are healthy cells,' Dr Hertz told DailyMail.Com.
'If a patient is overdosed, there will be too much chemotherapy in their body for too long, which will lead to the death of non-cancerous cells and clinically overt toxicity as individual organs die.'
Recent research estimates that chemo complications kill about 1 in 1,000 patients, which amounts to hundreds a year.
And as many as one in 50 chemo patients become severely ill or hospitalized.
It is thought that the majority of people with lethal reactions suffer a genetic problem that leads to a deficiency in certain enzymes in the liver that can metabolize chemotherapy.
Researchers have focused on deficiency in one enzyme, called dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase – or DPD - which is thought to impact up to eight percent of the population.
Some scientists refer to this deadly complication as a chemotherapy 'overdose', as the deficiency causes the medications to stay in the body longer before being excreted.
'In terms of the fluoropyrimidines (e.G., 5-fluoruracil and capecitabine), giving a standard dose to a patient with DPD deficiency would constitute an overdose and typically causes severe toxicity, and in some unfortunate instances causes death,' Dr Hertz said.
'DPD deficiency is the most common cause of overdose from fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy.'
Testing blood draws and cheek swabs can check for DPD deficiency and genetic risk factors, and results usually come back within a week. This allows doctors to quickly switch drugs or lower the dosage.
However, a 2022 survey in the journal JCO Oncology Practice found that just three percent of oncologists routinely order this testing before giving patients the medicine.
This could be because the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, which issues US cancer treatment guidelines, does not recommend preemptive testing.
The FDA added warnings about the potentially lethal risks of 5-FU to the drug's label on March 21, though it does not require doctors to perform testing.
Drug authorities in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, however, began recommending the tests in 2020.
Another patient to suffer the wrath of DPD deficiency is Dr Anil Kapoor, a urologist from Canada.
In January 2023, Dr Kapoor was treated with his first intravenous dose of fluorouracil (5-FU), a chemotherapy nearly identical to capecitabine, before succumbing to overdose.
Dr Anil Kapoor, a 58-year-old urologist from Canada, died three weeks after taking a single dose of chemotherapy for stage four colon cancer
The 58-year-old had been diagnosed with stage four colon cancer just three weeks earlier, and tests conducted after his death showed that he had a genetic variant that made 5-FU toxic to him.
'He started vomiting and feeling extremely nauseated. And within 24 hours, he had inflammation in the mouth and throat,' his brother, emergency room physician Dr Scott Kapoor, told Go Public.
'He could not eat or drink anything and he was also having profound diarrhea.'
Dr Kapoor's son, Akshay, told Go Public: 'It was honestly a cruel rollercoaster of emotions. I feel like we were robbed of our time together.'
Seven months after his brother's death, Scott told KFF Health News that he met a woman who had lost her husband after he took a single dose of 5-FU at age 77.
The man was Judge Gary Markwell of Ball Ground, Georgia, who died in September 2022. His obituary states that his death was from a 'severe reaction to oral chemotherapy.'
In 2015, the FDA approved uridine triacetate, the first drug to reverse 5-FU or capecitabine overdoses in adults and children.
The drug is administered orally and is meant to block cell damage from chemo.
Though it can be taken up to four days after chemo is administered, the manufacturers recommended using it as soon as an overdose is suspected.
Mouth Sores: Symptoms, Treatment, And Prevention
Mouth sores may look different depending on the cause, appearing a different color than the surrounding tissue, including white, yellow, red, or purple.
The following images show different types of mouth sores. These images are not intended to provide a diagnosis. If you have unexplained mouth sores or mouth sores that come back or last for a long time, it is best to visit a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.
Canker soresCanker sores may look like small oval-shaped ulcers in your mouth that appear white, gray, or yellow. They may be surrounded by a red "halo" of irritation. They may also appear as a painful red area.
Canker sores are also called aphthous stomatitis or aphthous ulcers. They are common and affect about 25% of the general population.
They are usually harmless and heal on their own in a couple of weeks. If you have recurring ulcers, it may be due to other conditions, such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, vitamin deficiency, or HIV.
Subgroups of canker sores include:
Canker sores are commonly caused by trauma like biting the inside of your cheek, burns, allergies, or sensitivities. They may have other causes as well. However, canker sores are not contagious.
Certain conditions may make you more prone to them. These can include:
Cold sores look like fluid-filled blisters that appear near the mouth and lips. They can appear red or darker in color. The affected area may tingle or burn before the sore is visible.
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1). Outbreaks may also be accompanied by mild, flu-like symptoms, such as low fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
This virus can be dormant inside of your body. Sores may appear when the virus reactivates and last for 1 to 2 weeks. This can occur when the immune system is weak or during times of stress.
Outbreaks are more common if you:
The virus that causes cold sores is contagious and can be spread through contact with cold sores. It can be spread through kissing, sharing food, or sharing cosmetics. It is also possible to catch HSV-1 when sores cannot be seen.
Genital herpes, caused by the herpes simplex type 2 virus (HSV-2), can look similar in appearance to cold sores. Both viruses may be spread through sex without a condom or other barrier methods if you or your partner has an active outbreak.
Folate deficiency and anemiaA folate deficiency is caused by not having enough folate, also known as vitamin B9. Folate is an important B vitamin used to make and repair DNA. It's critical to proper development in embryos. Being deficient in folate can also lead to folate deficiency anemia.
Anemia occurs when your supply of red blood cells is too low. When your red blood cells are reduced, damaged, or impaired, you may have problems transporting enough oxygen throughout your body. It can have an impact on different organ systems in your body.
Both folate deficiency and anemia can cause mouth sores. While folate deficiency can cause anemia, other types of anemia, like iron deficiency anemia, can cause mouth sores as well. These sores may look like small mouth ulcers or canker sores and be white, gray, yellow, or red in color.
Folate deficiency may also cause additional symptoms, including:
Anemia can also cause additional symptoms that may include:
Anemia has many causes and may occur quickly or over a long period of time. Anemia that occurs quickly may be caused by:
Chronic anemia may be related to autoimmune diseases, inherited genetic conditions, overexposure to lead, and other conditions.
GingivostomatitisGingivostomatitis is a common infection of the mouth and gums, often seen in children.
It produces tender sores on the gums or insides of the cheeks. Like canker sores, they can appear grayish or yellow on the outside and red in the center. Pain can range from mild to severe.
If you have gingivostomatitis, you may also experience mild, flu-like symptoms. These sores may also lead to drooling and pain with eating. Young children may refuse to eat.
Ulcers caused by this condition can last about 2 to 3 weeks.
Gingivostomatitis is often caused by viral infections, such as HSV-1 and coxsackievirus, and bacterial infections, such as Streptococcus. These infections can also be caused by not flossing and brushing teeth regularly.
Infectious mononucleosisInfectious mononucleosis, also known as mono, can occur with a rash. This rash can occur on the skin or inside of your mouth. Flat spots may appear pink or purple.
Infectious mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It often affects adolescents and young adults in high school and college.
Symptoms may also include:
Symptoms typically last for 2 to 4 weeks but may last weeks longer.
Oral thrushOral thrush is a yeast infection that develops on the inside of your mouth and on your tongue. It's most common in infants and children, but it may be a sign of a weakened immune system in adults. Having dry mouth or taking medications like antibiotics may increase your risk of developing it.
It looks like creamy white bumps that appear on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, or tonsils and can be scraped off.
Oral thrush is caused by an overgrowth of Candida, a type of yeast that naturally occurs in the body. The CDC says this condition is usually treated with antifungal medications for 7 to 14 days.
Additional symptoms may include:
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by viruses in the enterovirus family. It's common in children under the age of 5.
It causes painful red blisters in the mouth and on the tongue and gums. You may also experience flat or raised red spots located on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, buttocks, or genital area. On darker skin tones, bumps may appear skin-colored or grayish-brown in color.
Other symptoms may include:
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is contagious but usually not serious. The infection is more contagious during the first week. It usually resolves in 7 to 10 days.
LeukoplakiaOral leukoplakia may look like thick, white patches on your tongue and the lining of your mouth. They may be raised, hard, or have a "hairy" appearance. Leukoplakia is common in people who use tobacco of all kinds.
Leukoplakia can be harmless and often goes away on its own. However, research suggests 1 to 9% of people with this condition may develop oral cancer. If you think you may have this condition, visit a doctor. They may take a sample of the cells for diagnosis.
Regular dental appointments may help identify leukoplakia early.
Oral lichen planusOral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the mucous membranes of the gums, lips, cheeks, and tongue.
It may cause white, lacy, raised patches of tissue in the mouth that can resemble spiderwebs. It may also cause tender, swollen patches that are bright red with ulcers. Open ulcers may bleed and may burn, sting, or hurt when you eat or brush your teeth.
Lichen planus is not contagious. However, it is a chronic condition that cannot be cured.
Medication, such as corticosteroids and immune response medications, along with using mild toothpaste, may help manage symptoms.
Celiac diseaseCeliac disease is an atypical immune system response to gluten that can damage the lining of the small intestine. Damage to the villi — the small hair-like threads in your small intestine — may lead to poor absorption of important dietary nutrients like B vitamins, vitamin D, iron, and calcium.
Vitamin deficiency can lead to conditions like anemia. This may increase your risk of developing mouth ulcers.
Symptoms range in severity and may differ between adults and children. They can include:
In children, symptoms may include:
Celiac disease is a chronic condition that has no cure, but you can manage celiac disease through diet and avoiding gluten-containing ingredients such as:
Mouth cancer, or oral cancer, is a type of cancer that originates in the mouth or oral cavity. This includes:
Cancer is caused by the growth and spread of abnormal cells.
Oral cancer may look like ulcers, white patches, or red patches that appear inside the mouth or on the lips and do not heal. Doctors use the terms leukoplakia and erythroplakia to describe these tissue changes inside the mouth.
Other symptoms of oral cancer may include:
If you have unexplained white patches inside your mouth, visit a doctor. They can perform a biopsy to check for cancerous or precancerous cells. Early detection of cancers such as oral cancer can improve your outlook.
Pemphigus vulgarisPemphigus vulgaris is a rare autoimmune disease. Having an autoimmune disease means that your body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in your body. Pemphigus vulgaris affects the skin and mucous membranes of the:
It can cause painful, itchy skin blisters that break and bleed easily. Blisters in the mouth and throat may cause pain with swallowing and eating.
Symptoms of pemphigus vulgaris may also include:
Treatment usually involves systemic corticosteroids that usually take effect within 3 months.
Comments
Post a Comment