getting the "therapy" out of chemotherapy

hey all.

i know it’s been a while since i last wrote (yes, i’m starting to sound like a broken record)... and usually i recap everyone with what new medical event has happened in the last month or so.

well, about two fridays ago, i had to spend the night in the hospital again. i received three units of blood, and then the next day almost received a chemotherapy drug called Rituxan. however, i was very apprehensive about taking it and decided not to receive it, even though my doctors were in agreement that it was the next necessary step in the treatment of my illnesses, namely lupus and autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

i’ve spent the last two weeks thinking, discussing, weighing and praying about this medication, and between my family and me, have decided that it’s for the best. though it is indicated for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or Rheumatoid Arthritis patients, its off-label indications include lupus and AHA. if i respond well to it (one of my doctors cited an unofficial 2/3 success rate), i should be receiving the infusions once a week for the next four weeks (or more). there are serious potential reactions to the medication (a rare one is death), so one can understand my hesitancy.

however, since my illnesses have been getting progressively worse, the treatments i am on don’t seem to be working and i seem to be transfusion-dependent (my blood transfusions have become monthly), Rituxan seems to be the best next step. there are other alternatives, but this one appears to have the most benefit. if for some reason this therapy doesn’t work out, the next possible step would be a splenectomy. but, i’ll cross that bridge when i get to it.

for now, i just put my faith in the knowledge of my doctors and the higher power that guides them. hopefully, the rewards will be worth the risks.