Paula had her chemo treatment today. First she had blood work done and saw the doctor. The doctor was not concerned with the jaw pain, leg pain, etc. that Paula experienced in the past few weeks and anticipates issues such as these may continue during the chemo treatments. None should be long lasting. The blood results were good. A couple results associated with the liver were a little high and they will do an additional test prior to the May treatments.
The actual chemo started well. Paula receives two chemo drugs (bendamustine and rituximab). No problem with the first. They were very careful with the rate at which the rituximab was administered in March (the first time) since some patients can have an allergic reaction. Normally if there will be a reaction it is during the first administration. She didn't have any problems the first time so they normally administer the drug at a higher rate on subsequent visits. About 15 minutes after the rituximab was started Paula felt hot and had shortness of breath. The nurses were very responsive and provided additional Benadryl and a steroid to counteract the allergic reaction. They discontinued the chemo drug. Paula responded well to the drugs and felt better, but was very shaky and felt weak. The nurse said she will be tired for a couple days.
The nurse reviewed the reaction with the doctor. On the second day Paula would normally receive only the bendamustine. Tomorrow, in addition to the bendamustine, she will receive the remainder of the rituximab from today's dose. They will administer at the lower rate and provide additional Benadryl and the steroid. The steroid is normally only administered the first time in the event a reaction does occur. If all goes as planned the rituximab will be administered in this manner on subsequent treatments. It takes a little longer, but that is better than the risk of a reaction.
Chris was with us through the process and was able to help comfort his mom as the drugs took effect. Chris headed home at 4 PM hoping he had waited long enough to miss any traffic problems in the pass.
Glenn
The actual chemo started well. Paula receives two chemo drugs (bendamustine and rituximab). No problem with the first. They were very careful with the rate at which the rituximab was administered in March (the first time) since some patients can have an allergic reaction. Normally if there will be a reaction it is during the first administration. She didn't have any problems the first time so they normally administer the drug at a higher rate on subsequent visits. About 15 minutes after the rituximab was started Paula felt hot and had shortness of breath. The nurses were very responsive and provided additional Benadryl and a steroid to counteract the allergic reaction. They discontinued the chemo drug. Paula responded well to the drugs and felt better, but was very shaky and felt weak. The nurse said she will be tired for a couple days.
The nurse reviewed the reaction with the doctor. On the second day Paula would normally receive only the bendamustine. Tomorrow, in addition to the bendamustine, she will receive the remainder of the rituximab from today's dose. They will administer at the lower rate and provide additional Benadryl and the steroid. The steroid is normally only administered the first time in the event a reaction does occur. If all goes as planned the rituximab will be administered in this manner on subsequent treatments. It takes a little longer, but that is better than the risk of a reaction.
Chris was with us through the process and was able to help comfort his mom as the drugs took effect. Chris headed home at 4 PM hoping he had waited long enough to miss any traffic problems in the pass.
Glenn
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