Bubbles again!

So I have my latest round of bubbles yesterday.  All went well.  The only thing I missed was my PET scan.  Now, I just don't understand how they can schedule you 3 days out and on a Saturday.  Sometimes you just miss checking the messages and this time it caused me to miss the appointment.  So I have to wait till after I get back from Florida to get my scan done.

Doing good, just keeping up with the treatments.

Bike To Beat Cancer 2012, September 22nd, come out and cheer us on!!

Sponsor my Ride!!!!!!

Bubbles again

So, I guess I forgot to post in April, but I had another round of bubbles which went well as usual.  Yesterday was round 6 of bubbles, also known as IVIG, or simply put immunoglobulins.  As expected, all went well.  Next month I will have my next PET scan, and I anticipate a NED result.  Thats No Evidence of Disease for this who may be wondering.  So all is good.

Ankle is doing better, but my elbow is having some issues now, a little bursitis (tennis elbow).  Got an MRI next week, so we'll see.  Not taking any chances, same arm that had the big tumor in it, so getting it checked out.

Very excited to ride in my second Bike to Beat Cancer ride this year.  Definitely gonna be a better ride than last year I hope. :)  While I would love for the support on my ride, I do not expect it.  Every little bit helps too.  But even just encouragement helps, so join in, and lets Bike to Beat Cancer!!

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Bubbles times 6

Round 4 Bubbles again

So yesterday was my next visit to the oncologist and more immunoglobulins were in order.  Unfortunately, it didn't come easy.  Had an unusually high blood pressure when I got there.  My PCP changed my meds and not sure that is a contributor or not, but either way, kinda grabs your attention.  Had no problem with the immunoglobulins.  Definitely a lot more fun watching the bubbles form in the glass bottle.  Hence why I call it bubbles.  Will go back in a month, scheduled for more bubbles, but hopefully getting my immune system back on track and fighting hard.  My ankle is finally starting to feel better from my work move and hope to start getting into the gym to get back into shape!

immunoglobulins

 

Third round of immunoglobulins

Today, another round of immunoglobulins were in order.  All went well as usual.  Lab work showed improved numbers, so all looks good.  Feeling great and hoping to get back to the gym soon.   Till the next round.....

More Bubbles!

First CT Scan

Had my first CT scan since remission yesterday, and today I got the great news that all is well.  Looking forward to a good visit with the onc in about a week, and see what great things are in store for me now that I am feeling better.   My cough is finally gone.  Had about 15 weeks of tough stuff, then a little lingering cough, but been feeling great after the second round of immunoglobulins.  No complaints, all going well.

iBelieve!

Bubbles Squared

Okay, so today was another fun day at the oncology office.  Labs showed that I was on the low side for red blood cells and calcium, and some others I have no idea what they are.  While the scans are all clear, and the first round of immunoglobulins have helped, my onc gave me another round today.  If you don't remember, I call it bubbles because the air going in the vacuum sealed bottle cause bubbles in the immunoglobulins, so I just call it bubbles.  Talked to the doctor about going on 14 weeks of coughing and yuck.  While I thought I was on the up's, I woke up with congestion and a little sore throat, but probably from drainage.  Once again the lungs sound good, but the cough still plagues me.  I was hopefully going to see the pulmonary doctor soon to make sure the rituxan wasn't doing to much to the chest (chest pain and tightness are side effects), but they cannot see me till February.  Since my onc called him he had hoped I would get in quick.  Hopefully he will be able to bump that up sooner.  Talking about how the coughs occur, my onc wanted to try an anti-fungal medicine.  All in all, I was feeling better, the cough just won't go away.  So I started the new meds tonight, and I have to say, after the immunoglobulins, I kinda felt pretty good.  Tonight, I am coughing less than before.  Though sometimes I do feel short of breath when coughing, I feel pretty good.  Crossing my fingers that things are improving!!!  Knocking on wood so I don't jinx myself.  Go back February 1st for another round of immunoglobulins.  I'm getting there, just gotta get on it.  That's it for now, feeling better, but hopefully keep going in the right direction.

Immunoglobulins = bubbles

All Clear for Santa

Had my high resolution CT scan today.  And actually got the results today to, what a bonus.  The infection in the upper lungs is no longer there which is good.  Even better no sign of any lymphoma in the chest.  At the time of this news, I did not have the results of my blood work.  So later in the day I found out that the immunoglobulins have boosted my immune system back up to good ranges.  So my question was "why am I coughing so much?"  It is possible that the rituxan is being hard on my respiratory system in the way of tightening the air ways, which could cause me to cough as a reaction.  Being that I have been coughing for 12 weeks, it's possible that maybe I did not have the crud the whole time.  Don't have all the answers, but the onc wants to try an inhaler to help open up the airways.  Tonight I did my first dose, and I gotta say, it did help.  So let's hope this is a step in the right direction, and possibly a cause to all my discomfort.  I can hope right?  So thats how this year will probably end up, and possibly my first difficulty with treatment since this began earlier this year.  No complaints on that one.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and cannot wait to ring in 2012!