News G&.notes Inspiration In The Face Of Adversity (NAPSA)—Every year, nearly 1.3 million people’s lives are sud- he composed while he was undergoing treatment. diagnosed with cancer. Such was true for professional pianist him deal with his tragedy was to denly changed when they are Matthew Zachary when he was diagnosed with a rare, malignant brain tumor at the age of 21. Zachary, who learned to play piano as a child, never expected that his illness would be the source of his inspiration. “If you ever need to get motivated, then have someonetell you that you'll never be able to fulfill your life’s dreams,” says Zachary. Zachary underwent eight hours of surgery to remove the tumor from his brain and thirty-three treatments of radiation. The radiation caused him to experience nausea that affected his ability to Zachary believes what helped keep alive those things in his life which mattered most. For him, music wasthetopof thelist. “Everything that has happened to me, whether I liked it or not, became a part of my life; and I chose to live my life and to be the absolute best I could be every step of the way,” says Zachary. To learn more about Zachary’s music and to sample the music he composed while battling his cancer, visit his Web site at: www.matthewzachary.com. e Kytril is a selective blocking agent of the serotonin 5-HT8 play and compose music. “Nausea and vomiting are com- mon side effects in patients undergoing cancer treatment, and managing these symptoms are an important component of good can- cer care,” states Dr. Jeffrey Allen, M.D., Neuro-oncologist, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York. Zachary refused to let cancer destroy his ability to perform. So, in order to manage the nausea and vomiting, Dr. Allen prescribed Kytril, an anti-emetic medication, which allowed Matthew to resume doing the things he loved most, playing and composing music on the piano. “Despite the severe and acute negative side effects of radiation therapy treatment, Kytril helped me to feel more like myself,” says Zachary. Zachary played the piano every day during his treatment and composed a large body of inspira- tional music based on his experi- ence which became the basis for two CDs, “Scribblings” and “Every Step of the Way.” He was determined to beat his disease and do so while continuing his creative and inspirationallife. Zachary will soon be celebrat- ing his sixth year in remission. He now dedicates his time to giving inspirational speeches to cancer patients and performs the music receptor. Studies have implicated that serotonin is important in the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In response to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, serotonin is believed to be released and acts on the vagus nerve to trigger nausea and vomiting. Kytril blocks receptors on the vagus nerve, thereby reducing and sometimes eliminating patient nausea and vomiting. Kytril can cause headache, constipation, weakness, drowsiness or diarrhea. As with any cancer therapy, there is a risk of side effects. Those observed with the use of Kytril are usually manageable and reversible with dose modification or interruption.
