Infusion treatments are available only at CTC’s as they are the only type of venues (besides hospials) that are equpped to administer drugs and monitor vitals for administering I-V infusion treatments. When I received the solumedrol drips in years past, I recalled the same situation, but sitting in a seat all day, not being able to go outside, like I’m in “lockdown” in a CTC really has had a way of reminding me to maintain proper perspective. It could be better, but it could also be worse. Much worse. Thank God I’m not sitting in one of the approximately 30 plus seats set-up for chemotherapy spread throught this area. I’m not going to pretend that my battle with #relapsingremittingMS seems even remotely comparable. It’s not. MS and cancer are both jackass beasts to fight, but not even in the same playing field. My immune system fights with my own immune system daily like its life depends on it. Abnormal cells divide and create cancer. Both are very much diseases, but different. My aunt passed from cancer many years ago and she was in constant pain. MS can cause pain, although it’s never been an issue for me, but I realize for other MSers, it’s an ongoing reality. Any condition, disease, illness, what-have-you, might have similar symptoms for a group of individuals fighting the same thing, but each patient’s battle is often very individual to the patient. Treatment protocols for each person can also vary.
While here for five days, I’ve been the only patient receiving #Lemtrada, which I believe is likely because it’s such a time-consuming treatment and with more people coming here to fight a life-threatening illness like cancer, I can see why that would be the bigger priority to keep chairs open for cancer treatments. Get them in. Get them out. Pack’em. Stack ’em and wrack ’em. Lemtrada requires several hours. Each day, I’ve checked-in for treatment at 8:00am every day. I’m generally hooked-up to the drip by 8:30 for a half hour to receive solumedrol and then Lemtrada’s loaded into the drip within minutes for a slower four-hour-drip. While receiving the Lemtrada, my vitals, heart-rate, blood- pressure, pulse are supposed to be monitored very closely every 15 minutes for the first two hours of Lemtrada. Then, it’s every half hour for two hours and then it’s every hour until I leave in two hours. Long day, huh? Compared to cancer patients who are normally in here monthly, I see them sit and leave within 2 hours or less. Sitting in the same “assigned” area, I’ve seen many people come in to sit in the chairs around me temporarily to receive chemo treatment during each day and obviously treating Lemtrada is a much more time-consuming commitment. #Cancersucks #MSyoureastinkertoo.
I’m done in a half hour with what I hope will be the only required dose of Lemtrada, however, my neurologist might determine that I could have the secondary three-day dose in a year if she deems it necesary. Lemtrada’s done and now we wait for healing. Thank you, Jesus for again orchestrating the appropriate time for this treatment so that I could be here five consecutive days, and so that B would be able to be home with Ms. Buns and taking over all household engineering tasks during this time. Thank you so much, Lord for this precious opportunity, thank you, B for supporting it and thank you friends and family for your ongoing prayers. Fare thee well, CTC and thank you for having me all week.
I’ll go home and enjoy a much-needed bottle glass of wine. Cheers and GO HAWKS!
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