Well, today was my visit to Dr Kipps and another round of IVIG therapy (4 of 6).
It looks like we might have turned a small corner in getting the AIHA (anemia) under control. My hemoglobin has gone up to 13.1, which is the highest it has been since this all started in October. Dr. Kipps was impressed with the level and the increase and has decided to start tapering me off of the Prednisone. Starting tomorrow I will take 40 mg instead of the 60 mg that I have been on for the last 7 weeks. I will do that for a week and then have my blood checked to see how my hemoglobin is doing. If the hemoglobin increases or stays at the current level, then we will reduce it again the following week.
You might ask (or maybe not), what happens next. Well, it gets a bit complicated. Bottom line is that taking you from 20 mg a day to 0 mg is a slippery slope and can take a while. All the while you have to watch the levels to make sure that the anemia does not start coming back. BUT, if everything goes according to plan, treatment of the CLL could begin somewhere in the 20 mg or less range. Right now the treatment would be for me to get the monoclonal antibody Rituxamab along with some sort of high dose, short term steroids. (You can get more information on this protocol by clicking on the Rituxan Therapy link on the right hand side of the blog.) Dr. Kipps feels that because of my response to the treatments this far, that I will get an excellent response from this combination of treatments.
The IVIG infusion therapy took place after all of this and lasted 5 hours. As usual I had no side affects either during or after this treatment. I felt so good we went out to dinner with my step sister and her husband (Lisette and Angelo who live in San Diego) to a Mexican restaurant almost next to the border. Needless to say, it was great Mexican food.
So now I am playing the waiting game, to see what the decrease of the Prednisone does. If my levels drop back down, then we will start looking at other forms of treatment for the anemia. But, I am believing that they will remain high, and I can get off of the steroids.
Other than a slight cough, and a little fatigue, I feel pretty good. So I guess this a good way to start off 2008.
Terry
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3 comments:
I still say to add your lung scenario.....I'm getting tired of explaining it to everyone!
xoxodonna
Terry.. we just became aware of your blog.. you are providing a very interesting narrative of your journey.. I am in awe of your courage! Know that we continue to keep you & Donna in prayer for continued positive results! Peggy & Bill
Terry.. just became aware of your blog. You are providing a very interesting narrative of your treatment and I am in awe of your courage! Keeping you & Donna in our prayers for continued positive results. Peggy & Bill
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