Walkin' in the spiderwebs...

Not quite the day after tomorrow, but it does in fact happen to be the day after yesterday's first infusion.  Had an esplodey allergic reaction face issue that thankfully went away after some saline diluting for about 45 minutes and we were able to finish the first round.  Think I headed out from the hospital around 3:30 or so.  During the process the only thing I noticed was that I was a little dizzy during the intake; when we switched to saline there in the middle to let the allergic reaction thing pass no dizzy.  Aside from that, last night I had a little bit of a cough and today the headspace is a little futzy, but the latter may be lack of food since I slept till kitty alarm went off at 10:30 so I got up and took morning meds and then back to sleep and then up again around 3 for lunchtime meds and finally got some food.  Don't think I'd eaten since about 8 last night.  Sadly tummy gods are angry with me not having a lot of food though they're not showing their appreciation by letting me keep any of it in *grumbles* Just can please anyone.... ;-)

Seriously, though.  Considering all the crazy side-effects one could have from this drug and other than sleepy and a bit of a cough I'm fine, I think part I of round I has been a success.  Just going to keep vegging and see what doc has to say when I see him next Thurs for the follow-up appt.  Incredibly jazzed that we were able to make it through the first part of this.  The nurses had said that if the allergic thing had happened earlier on they would probably have had to stop entirely so I'm glad the benadryl knocked me out for a couple hours.  Chances are I was having the reaction during that time and we just didn't really pay that much attention between the nurses and I cause they'd take my blood pressure and I'd doze back off.  Going to zyrtek-d the night before next time to preemptively strike against the allergies on top of the benadryl dose they'll give me and maybe it'll help when they do the steroid dose again.  *shrugs*  Points for effort.

Now just gotta fight not going back to sleep and hope no more random side-effects stuff creeps up.

*holds breathe*

Hope everyone has a great rest of holiday weekend!!

*HUGS*

*Glade plugins tune* "Plug it in! Plug it in!"

Been jacked in to the Matr... eerr IV infusion stuffs since about 7:30.  Shot of steriod.  Shot of benadryl.  Two tylenol.  And a laaaaaaarge bag-o-Rituxan.  Had an allergic reaction, but Dr P came in and looked at me and said "Yup, see it before.  Pretty certain it's a reaction to the steroid shot at the beginning of the process and not the Rituxan.  Let's keep going."

They had to stop for a bit cause of an nice red itchy rash face issue that started up about 2 hours in.  Held off for an hour just fillin' with me saline and now no more red face.  Started back up on the Rituxan about a half hour to 45 minutes ago.  Being plugged in with the tv giving the news and my feet propped up in a recliner I tend to lose track of time.

Only thing I've noticed so far from the drug itself is that I feel just slightly dizzy.  When we went to just saline none of that so going to attribute to Rituxan stuffs.  Not bad, just a little weird.

So it goes.... With the delay of their having to stop it for a bit going to be getting out a bit later; not sure just how much at this point.  Know they normally close up shop at 3 but I doubt they'll pull my plug and kick me out if it's not done ;-)  Hoping any reaction stuffs happen here.  Would like to be able to enjoy the holiday weekend.

Couple more hours to go.  *yawns*  Wait for it...... WAIT FOR IT!!!!

:-D

The ants go marching one by one....

Got the call from the infusion nurse this morning, A.  Even though Aetna hasn't clicked the button yet (called and their system was down 3/4 of the day and still slower than crud around 2:30 so they couldn't do anything), figured since I'm having to use what time off I have left anyways to make sure I still have full paychecks I would go ahead and let her sign me up.  So here's the schedule: first infusion will take 6 1/2 hours (not 5 as I was previously told) on July 2nd.  Second will be July 16th and take about 4 1/2 hours.

Told to be there at 7am for the first and 8:30am for the second and still pretty much expect to take the day off for both.  Which hoovers much.  But at least I'll still have full paychecks.  This will leave me one vacation day left for C's birthday in Aug.  Must hold on to that last day.

Also informed to eat breakfast before I show or bring it with me as once I'm there I can't move about save to go to the restroom. This means I need to bring lunch with me as well or find someone to bring me grub and keep me company for the lunch hour cause again, can't leave.  I can take medications as normal that day so no change in the regime schedule.  Was informed that they'll be giving me what I think they said was an antibiotic to try and cut down on the chance of a reaction to the infusion as well as benadryl which also is supposed to help cut down on the chance of negative allergic reaction.  Benadryl normally knocks me smooth out the few times I've taken it so not going to bother at this point asking anyone to come with me.  If they've giving be a crazy benadryl dose I'll sleep through the whole damn process and will bring a book with me just in case I do somehow manage to remain conscious.  Only thing I worry about is being awake enough to drive home after cause dude... benadryl really does knock me on my bum.  Worse case I can call J to drive me home and then maybe have him and A coordinate getting my car back to the apt.  *yawns*  Makes me sleepy just thinking about it.

Going to call Aetna again tomorrow to check on status of claim.  Got a call from Dr S's office in allergy saying for me to try taking regular unleaded Claritin to take the place of the Zyrtek-D.  Reminded nice nurse that only things with the decongestant seem to help but that I would give it a try.  Going to go ahead and finish taking what Zyrtek-D I have left, though, at this point cause it's already bought and paid for.  And after my going a little nutty on the groceries at SAMs earlier today, need to stretch every frakin' dime.

It's all going to work out.  It has to.  I give it no choice.