Gary received his 2nd dose of Rituximab on Wednesday, November 15. Imagine a rollercoaster ride…this is the part where you are at the very top and speeding straight down with your hands in the air! HA!
They began by giving him Benadryl followed by a steroid. Both done via IV. When those were done, they began the actual medication. They slowed the rate down trying to prevent side effects which made for a long day. Love Paragon at Katy, TX! They take such good care of him and are the best! ❤ That evening he was very irritable, swollen, and had difficulty sleeping. (Thanks to steroids I’m sure) Blood pressure was on the high side. He woke up Thursday morning with excruciating joint pain which did not improve much with over the counter medication. Breathing and balance along with vision issues were still a problem. Sugar readings are beginning to rise; however, blood pressure is returning to his normal. He was such a trooper as he was insistent he was going to celebrate his daughter’s birthday that night, and he did! Other than his balance, I’m not sure anyone knew just how bad he felt! ❤ By Saturday the joint pain was easing up. He was still very weak with difficulty breathing and slept most of the day. Sunday he was able to shower and get dressed. The pain in his joints was continuing to improve. Still no strength. Today, Monday, November 20, there seems to be some improvement. No joint pain, no headache, no head congestion. Still doesn’t have the muscle strength, but I have no doubt that is just around the corner! 🙂
A HUGE positive to all of this…He now has his Life2000 which is a portable noninvasive ventilator!! Woo hoo!! We keep the compressor near the middle of the house which is attached to a 50 ft hose. This allows him to walk most everywhere downstairs being able to breathe. He says this has been a game changer. He is not as tired from struggling to breathe by the end of the day. I knew when he walked, he struggled but honestly had no idea he was also struggling to breathe just sitting. We received the oxygen tanks today which will allow him to take this with him when we go out in public. Such excitement!! 🙂
This is the week of Thanksgiving and we have so much to be thankful for…a wonderful God who is by our side through all of this, family, friends, a wonderful medical team, the list goes on. There is no doubt…
We Are Blessed
i am blessed 