Post #56: Small Setback

Dear All,

Anita had a small setback today (Tues. July 31st) but, as she says, it was to be expected. It is her reaction to the Rituxan. She started feeling tired on Sunday (went to bed very early), Monday she was "dragging" (napped a lot during the day), and Tuesday the shortness of breath, a little arrhythmia and some dizziness returned so she spent most of the day in bed. Quote: "I just don't feel good today!"

However, she realizes that this appears to be her "normal" reaction now to the Rituxan treatment. These side effects kick in about the third day after the administration of the drug. She has done some reading on the internet about the side effects of Rituxan and apparently they can continue until two to three months after the last treatment. Anita has three more treatments to undergo so she is prepared for the long haul.

She has again lost some appetite but was able Tuesday morning to eat her usual breakfast of Total cereal, a glass of OJ and a banana and had some noodle soup for lunch. That was about all she could get down and so she just rested in bed for most of the rest of the day. She had taken a nausea pill Monday night, but none on Tuesday morning and has had no recurrence of nausea. She is just short of breath and exhausted.

But her attitude is very positive. She realizes that she is going to go through these episodes and she takes encouragement from the fact that following each treatment session, she has progressively been getting better and, so far, having less acute reactions to each treatment. May that progress continue!

Melissa