Fill ‘er up

IVIG stands for intravenous immune globulin and is made from pooled immunoglobulins from the plasma of healthy donors. It works by altering the immune system and neutralizing or destroying damaging antibodies. Gary receives this over two days (Monday and Tuesday) every two weeks. Each day takes 4 1/2 hours. He attempted doing it all in one day but had too many side effects such as severe headache, swelling, and chest pains. Slowing the rate down and moving the process to two days seems to have done the trick. Wednesday is a rest day as these treatments make him very tired. Thursday he will start to feel better and symptoms will begin to lighten and some disappear.

Still anxiously waiting to hear when the new treatment (Vyvgart) will begin. Lots of paperwork, insurance approval, and most importantly finding the medication! Methodist does not have it yet as it is so new.

All in all Gary is doing great. He continues to work daily and refuses to let anyone tell him he can’t do something such as run, jump, or simply be happy! Of course, the running and jumping are in his imagination, but we will accept that! Yesterday when I returned from paying for our garage parking ticket at Methodist, I found Gary chatting with one of the workers. She was busy cleaning the surrounding area all while laughing and sharing stories with him. Here is my sweetie sitting in a wheelchair, arms bruised, hand wrapped in tape and gauze from his IV, and swollen from steroids making friends with a stranger. He not only made her day but mine also. What an honor it is to be his wife!