Today I finally managed to return to the infusion center for a treatment of Rituxan. I’ve had this treatment done before, but I was very late on the maintenance of it. I originally had it last in February 2015, but due to the tumor, surgery, weakness, flare and insurance ..I’m finally here today. The next dose was supposed to be in August 2015.

 

Just when I thought there couldn’t be a more painful place to get a needle….P.S. they all hurt. 

 

Rituxan does not have a set ‘wearing off’ time, everyone is different, but it is thought to be anywhere from six to twelve months. Anyways, the point is I was late…and geez did my body pay for it these last couple of months. I need to be really mindful the next few weeks because my immune system is already damaged from the other medicines, with Rituxan effecting that even more. As of this moment, the best way I can describe feeling is ‘heavy’. Imagine going for a jog with weighted clothing, and then not being able to take the weighted clothes off afterwards. 

Today’s infusion took from around 11 AM to 630 PM, in part because I had several IV fails. I had a grand total of five IV attempts and redos, so that prolonged the time a bit. Some of them were becoming kinked, or bent and causing painful swelling. I was pre-medicated with Benadryl, which was a bad combo considering I didn’t sleep much last night (completely my fault trying to do homework). I ended up sleeping for the most of the afternoon.

Next year, I’ll be taking my talents to the Florida Gators, New York Mets AND Denver Broncos. 

 

I will repeat this process for the next three Fridays, and then I’ll return to do it again in six months. From here, the effects should gradually take hold some time in late May most likely, so I’m still in a waiting game. But it’s great to get past the starting line again.