February 5, 2013 was a day that will separate my life into the "before" and "after." The fifth of February - the day I learned that the word "cancer" would forever be a part of my life. It is my desire to live with Jesus Christ in the forefront of my life, and cancer in the background. The words in this blog are therapeutic to me. I hope that they will be uplifting to you. Blessings, Kathy Lollar

Saturday, December 28, 2013

RITUXAN AND ME.......A LOVE - HATE RELATIONSHIP

     Rituxan, my friend, why can't you just go after the bad guys and leave me alone?

     Rituxan is a miracle drug that has been prescribed for the treatment of Waldenstrom's patients for the past ten years. Before Rituxan, the life expectancy for WM patients was 3 - 7 years. Today, life expectancy is not measured in years, but in decades. I thank God for this medical miracle that will keep me alive.

    With that being said, Rituxan, my friend.........why must you be so cruel?

     Last October, I received my first round of four weekly Rituxan infusions.  That initial infusion back in October was rough, but the subsequent ones became easier. My second round of prescribed infusions began yesterday. What a day it was!  A Murphy's Law day for sure!  Misery from the inability to get the IV in, to the giant fireballs called hives that covered my body. Pre-meds of benadryl, steroids, Ativan, Tylenol did little to ward off the inevitable allergic reaction. Within the first 15 minutes, the Rituxan reaction began and it was war all day long. Starting the drip, stopping the drip when the hives returned usually within only a few minutes. At the end of eight hours, only half the bag of the miracle drug was in my body. The remainder hung on the IV pole.  My physical and emotional states were in shambles!

     While Rituxan was attacking my malignant cells, my body was fighting back. Guess who was the innocent bystander????  ME!  And that's just not fair!  Silly me, I know that life isn't fair, but I just needed a moment to let out my frustrations.  I will recuperate for the next few days and start the battle again next Thursday. Back to the love - hate relationship between Kathy and Rituxan.   can endure whatever reactions are required of me, but I sure do hope the infusion is easier next time.  Please join me in prayer to that end.

     "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:  28

     "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but The Lord delivers him out of them all."  Psalm 34: 19
     
     "And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and The Lord will raise him up. ". James 5: 15

    


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