1st bridge.

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Had the first bridge treatment this past week. They first give you Benadryl through the iv to prevent a reaction.  Next is an antinausea med. Also a couple of Tylenol.  I guess for headaches?  Then came the Rituxan. Took about 5 hours as they administered it very slowly. I was supposed to receive another drug but the doc said it could make the neuropathy worse so he wants to use something else. They did not have it on hand. I have to go back to receive it. At the end I guess they flush with some saline and heparin (to prevent clotting). They probably put in saline at first too. The Benadryl always wipes me out.  I slept through most of the procedure. Also included is 100 mg of prednisone for 7 days. Prednisone keeps me awake. No issues with the treatment. I was nauseated the next day. I think from the prednisone. 

Plan is still to proceed with the CAR-T.  Waiting on insurance approval. The CAR-T folks (doc and nurse) gave us a complete explanation of the process. Met with a social worker and they also checked my veins. Left arm was not good so they will have to put in a line to harvest the T cells. One more thing in the series. Came home with a three ring binder full of information. 

Listening to Marc Cohn https://youtube.com/@marccohn6866

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