Thanksgiving was nice. The immediate family were all at my parents, we ate well, laughed, shared, went around opening the windows my parents closed…. The usual family gathering!!
It was great to actually have an appetite for a change! I kept it simple, turkey, mashed p’turds, corn, ham and of course cranberry jelly. Even went for seconds on turkey and HAD to compare the Black Forest Ham to the regular ham (Black Forest is better). Topped it off with a piece of apple pie. When we got home I still had the munchies and finished off the Buffalo Chicken dip and a few hunks of cheese with crackers.
Friday we went to see Dr. Ferber. His assistant/Nurse Practitioner Faith saw me first. She asked a whole slew of questions regarding how I was feeling, experiencing, etc. The she checked for lymph nodes. She dug around my left armpit so deep I thought she was going to touch my ear! She said it was a good thing that she couldn’t find them anymore. She also checked my spleen, and had a hard time palpating it where *I* could outline it before. Dr. Ferber asked a few more questions and also felt for the spleen and agreed it was WAY smaller than before. He said that is an indication I am responding positively to the treatment!!!! YAHOO
After discussing Wednesday’s events. he felt it more me not being in a physical condition to get the treatment and not a reaction to the medication. I tend to agree, after all . the only thing I did was sleep and pee from the time I got of the hospital until I went for the treatment. He walked to the infusion center next door and set me up for 0830 Monday morning. He said he would be in the Voorhees office Monday, too, and would check in on me before they started the meds.
Sunday I was showering and remembering why my armpit still hurt when I realized the lump I had on my neck was almost impossible to detect. Another YAHOO. I was ready to dance! I don’t want to put the cart before the horse, but these are some pretty awesome positive signs.
My daughter Robyn went with me today for the Rituxan for support, company and backup. They started with a liter bag of fluids and Dr. Ferber stopped in just as it was time to start the Rituxan. He made sure I was good to go and the drip was started. They started it slowly tin case I had a reaction, but it was an uneventful, boring day. Finally got done around 3pm.
So now I need to keep an eye on my temperature and go for blood tests once a week to keep an eye on my counts. The next appointment it December 14th, unless my numbers change indicating I need meds for an infection or I am ready sooner for the “B” part of this round.
I am so very thankful for all the people who have offered to help, even if it was someone to talk to, a ride, or “anything you need”. Thank you all!!!
For those interested in becoming a Stem cell/Bone Marrow Donor, here is link you can use to signup: Swab-A-Cheek
It was great to actually have an appetite for a change! I kept it simple, turkey, mashed p’turds, corn, ham and of course cranberry jelly. Even went for seconds on turkey and HAD to compare the Black Forest Ham to the regular ham (Black Forest is better). Topped it off with a piece of apple pie. When we got home I still had the munchies and finished off the Buffalo Chicken dip and a few hunks of cheese with crackers.
Friday we went to see Dr. Ferber. His assistant/Nurse Practitioner Faith saw me first. She asked a whole slew of questions regarding how I was feeling, experiencing, etc. The she checked for lymph nodes. She dug around my left armpit so deep I thought she was going to touch my ear! She said it was a good thing that she couldn’t find them anymore. She also checked my spleen, and had a hard time palpating it where *I* could outline it before. Dr. Ferber asked a few more questions and also felt for the spleen and agreed it was WAY smaller than before. He said that is an indication I am responding positively to the treatment!!!! YAHOO
After discussing Wednesday’s events. he felt it more me not being in a physical condition to get the treatment and not a reaction to the medication. I tend to agree, after all . the only thing I did was sleep and pee from the time I got of the hospital until I went for the treatment. He walked to the infusion center next door and set me up for 0830 Monday morning. He said he would be in the Voorhees office Monday, too, and would check in on me before they started the meds.
Sunday I was showering and remembering why my armpit still hurt when I realized the lump I had on my neck was almost impossible to detect. Another YAHOO. I was ready to dance! I don’t want to put the cart before the horse, but these are some pretty awesome positive signs.
My daughter Robyn went with me today for the Rituxan for support, company and backup. They started with a liter bag of fluids and Dr. Ferber stopped in just as it was time to start the Rituxan. He made sure I was good to go and the drip was started. They started it slowly tin case I had a reaction, but it was an uneventful, boring day. Finally got done around 3pm.
So now I need to keep an eye on my temperature and go for blood tests once a week to keep an eye on my counts. The next appointment it December 14th, unless my numbers change indicating I need meds for an infection or I am ready sooner for the “B” part of this round.
I am so very thankful for all the people who have offered to help, even if it was someone to talk to, a ride, or “anything you need”. Thank you all!!!
For those interested in becoming a Stem cell/Bone Marrow Donor, here is link you can use to signup: Swab-A-Cheek