Round 2 … DONE!

Round 2 and we survived (barely). This month was rougher on my body then last month. Here is why…

Before I start, I have to share the amazing gesture my work colleagues and friends did for me. They started a meal train for the week post treatment. I was so overwhlemed with emotions by this gesture. I don’t have enough words to express my gratitude and appreciation to all those who signed up and have brought food and send gift cards. THANK YOU seems so small but do know that I say it from the bottom of my heart. ❤️ ❤️

On Thursday, Day 1 of treatment started with me seeing my hematologist/oncologist doctor to check in on how things were going. My blood work (since I go weekly to get it done) was doing well but it had been fluctuating in numbers but he did not see anything off from that.

After the appointment, I went down to the infusion center to wait to be called to start my infusion. This time around, I knew that I was going to get an injection of the immunotherapy (Rituxan) and the chemotherapy. The total time this time was going to be way shorter and IT WAS! Once I got to the chair, I was given my premeds, wait for 30 mins then get the rituxan injection. I got the injection in my right side of my tummy. As I was waiting for my chemo infusion, the area of the injection started feeling itchy and some redness. I told the nurse but she mentioned that would happen and that we would wait until my chemo infusion was done to see how things were. After 15 mins, the itching had stopped but the redness was still there. By this point, about 2 hours in, I was done with treatment. The nurse told me to get home and ice the area and that in an hour or two the redness would be gone.

As soon as I got home, I went to bed. The infusions took such a toll on my body, even though the toll time was so much less, I felt so drained. I did ice the area but the redness never went away.

On Friday, I went in for day 2 of chemo and I told the nurse about the redness on my tummy and that it had not gone away. She called the nurse practitioner to take a look and see what I can do. She told me that the way of doing the rituxian via injection is fairly new so the reactions are new to them. She asked if it was itchy in the area or anywhere. It wasn’t. She said to keep icing it and to monitor. That day of chemo ended within an hour and I went home.

On Sunday, I woke with pain in the injection area and my temperature was going up, it was at 99.5 in the morning. I got worried as well as my parents so I called the urgent issue number and I was put in contact with the on-call BMT doctor. The doctor called back and I explained what was happening and he advise to take Tylenol (650mg) every six hours as long as I had pain and keep the ice packs going. If my temperature did reach 100.4, then to call them again. THANK GOODNESS it never got that high and the tylenol helped with the pain and the redness reduced by Wednesday. (Pictures of the progression of the redness on my stomach)

The remainder of the week was spent taking it easy and resting as much as I can. I wasn’t has energetic this time around, like last month, so will need to talk to the doctor about that. I have my 2-week follow-up with my doctor next week so I have a few things to discuss with him regarding the way of the immunotherapy and the reactions and side effects. Each month (even though it has only been 2 months) they have been very different on how I have reacted and felt after treatment.

I truly do want to say THANK YOU and again THANK YOU for your love and support. The meals that have been coming this week have been amazing and delicious. I am very blessed to have a wonderful support system. I do feel the good vibes and energy coming from you! 🥰 ❤️

I will see you next month and hope to report things were a lot of better! Like my sweater says, ONE STEP AT A TIME! (sweater courtesy of Walk in Love https://walkinlove.com/)

WEAR MASK, SAVE A LIFE! 😷