October 28, 2011 - First round of Rituximab

Well yesterday Margaret had her first round of non-chemo chemo (Rituximab).  The really nice thing about this is that it is not chemo it is ‘monoclonal antibody therapy’, it does not go after all the cells in your body it specifically targets the bad lymphoma cells (B-cell lymphomas) so she should not get the normal side effect of chemo.  The first infusion went ok.  They told us that she would have some side effects, everyone does.  They start by giving you 15 minutes of the rituxmab and then check your vitals and they repeat this process a number of times then after 4 or 5 times they lengthen it to 30 minutes at a time.  After the second or third time they restarted the Rituximab she started to get an upset stomach so they stopped and gave her something for the nausea.  After 30 minutes they restarted it and a little while later she started shivering, technically called rigors which are uncontrollable shaking like she was cold but it was a reaction to the rituximab.  They got some heated blankets and stopped the meds.  They then gave her some other meds (Demerol and hydrocortisone) to stop the shaking.  She was shaking so hard that when I was hugging her it seemed that I was the one shaking.  The nurses said it wasn’t that bad,  (easy for them to say) when it is bad it is like the movie the Exorcist when she is actually bouncing on the bed.  What she had was scary enough for me.  In all it took about 9 hours to get all the Rituximab in her and we will see how things go. 

She said that with all the meds to counteract the side effect (I think she was talking about the Demerol) that the cramping was not as bad.  Hmmm, maybe load her up every morning on Demerol, nah, that sounds like a bad idea. 

Next Thursday is the next round and for each round the side effects should be less and it should take a shorter time to get the meds in.  The quickest they can get it in her is 4 hours if they start out at full speed and don’t stop.   They also said that most people don’t get the nausea AND the rigors, usually get one or the other.  Just the lucky people we are to be so fortunate to be the exceptions I guess.  Before the next cycle they will pre-load her with some meds to prevent the side effects and we will see how that goes.  I am guessing that they will wait on the demerol and just give her the anti-nausea medicine and the hydrocortisone but we will wait and see. 

We also see the ‘expert’ on Monday but I am not sure what he will say since the only thing we will have between the first round and seeing him is some blood work.  Maybe the will check the blood markers for lymphoma.  I guess we will have to wait until Monday to tell.

I will keep you all posted when we find some new information, in the mean time enjoy the weekend and thanks for stopping by.