Day -6: Rituxan and B cells

Tuesdays chemo of the day is Rituxan. This chemo attacks wonky B cells in my body. The majority of chemo for the next 4 days is cytoxan (which targets T cells) but those of us with CIDP get rituxan on the front and back ends because we have both cell (T and B) involvement.

Typically the stem cell patients are on the 16th floor, mixed in with oncology patients. However it's a full house, so I am on the 15th floor until some beds open up. But I am required to be up there for stem cell and recovery (no later than Sunday).

Tuesday is a light day fluid wise. Just some tylenol and Benadryl to offset any possible reaction. Also some IV steroids, which might keep me up all night, since we started so late (4:30 pm CT) Then Rituxan.

The Rituxan and I got off on the wrong foot. About 75 minutes in, I had intense and sudden itching I my throat, ears and tongue. When I say intense I mean I wanted to pour acid down my throat to alleviate it. Reason # 453 why it's good to have someone here: I was going to wait about 8 minutes until vitals check to say anything, Nick said "push the button or I will". The nurse came in, a frenzy was started, drip stopped and Dr. Burt paged. Apparently this can lead to much more dangerous reactions.

I got more benedryl (loopy by this point) some steroids and a 30 min drip break. We started it back up very slow (a fourth of the normal drip speed) and all was ok. However we didn't wrap up the drip until around 11:30 pm. I'd like to think my lecture to my body saying "hey, jerk face, I thought I told you to play nice with Rituxan and cytoxan? We need them, they are medicine!". But that could also just Be my steroid ridden imagination.

Here is a little peek at the room and my organization skills.....nesting at its best. One thing this trip has taught me is how little one actually needs to get by. Can't wait to purge half of my belongings when I am up to it.

Readin material and inspirational gifts from friends

Garb to leave room for laps

Big windows with a bright city view

Wednesday is day -5.  The schedule is far more intense. Steroids, IV fluids, rATG (rabbit antibody), Mensa (organ protection), cytoxan (chemo), lasix (organ flush), nausea meds, headache meds, sleep aids....the list continues.

I will likely be silent on day -5 as there will be chaos......but who knows.

Have a great Wednesday