It's a Tricky Game

After two months, I went back for my second maintenance treatment with Rituxin. My pre- blood work showed a very low white count again but Dr. Schwartz wanted to go ahead with the treatment. Last time, my white count went up with the help of the steroids so he figured it would happen again.

I had Karen as my nurse and she has definitely become my favorite. She is so kind and more importantly sweet and efficient! She offered me a copy of my bloodwork, which has never happened before. I wish now that I had all of the copies because "Houston, we have a problem!" (more on that in a moment)

The treatment went well aside from the needle hurting when inserted in my port and the tape hurting when Karen tried to get it off. Apparently, I have developed an intolerance to adhesive. OUCH!

I just went for my one week follow up for my white count check and although it is slightly up, the doctor is still concerned. He mentioned on my last visit that he might want to do a new bone marrow biopsy and now he really wants to do it. He is afraid that the Rituxin is causing the problem and wants to stop giving it to me. The only problem with that approach is the fact that Rituxin is the drug required for this type of Lymphoma. WTF!!! I requested that the Chief of Lymphoma at Sloan get my chart prior to the test so he can confirm the approach and in the process I found out that he was only receiving my doctors notes but not the specific blood counts. I was supposed to tell them to send them? Really? So, if I had gotten a print out after every visit I could have sent them myself. Oy vey! It's a tricky game! Hopefully, everything will be sent today.

The most stressful thing at the moment is the impending bone marrow biopsy tomorrow. The only other one I had was under anesthesia. This one will be done in his office with a local. The movies depict this test as very painful and I'm not really into that. He said I might feel nothing or I might feel five seconds of pain. Really? Either way, I'm not thrilled. But as my dad always told me, and still does, "You do what you gotta do."

So, I will. And, I will continue to keep you posted.
Thanks for listening.