Well yesterday saw me in the office of my consultant discussing the game plan for the treatment ahead.
I am to start my rituximab infusions mid to end of January 2015. The drug is designed to completely wipe out my immune system so as such, it is important that between now and then that I do not harbour any infections. With that in mind i need to chase the dentist to get the tooth extracted to remove the abscess and the hospital have taken a full panel of bloods, testing includes the basic LFT and FBC but also screening for infections such as HIV, Diptheria etc
The Rituximab will pretty much wipe me out so they will be running intravenous methylprednisolone steroid in at the same time to give me a boost and keep me on my feet. I will have an infusion of Rituximab once a week for four to six weeks depending on results. Then i will have a maintenance top up once every six months.
Along side that, i am to have a "bone booster" injection every 4 - 6 months to reinforce my bones as prolonged exposure to steroids can weaken the bones and it is thought maybe this is why i get joint pain now in my hips, back and knees
They have told me that I have the possibility of a further round of chemotherapy using cyclophosphamide, but they are keeping that back incase the rituximab doesnt work
So, with christmas a week away, i am going to enjoy myself and then get back to the grind with the illness, but nothing is going to get in my way between now and then
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