So, had the IvIg blood infusion on Thursday. It wasn't as bad as I thought. I had a little bit of a headache but that might have been more from worrying about it. I got my special chair in the blue section # 53. would have been cool to get #52, Ben's hockey jersey #. Totally not what I expected. Didn't look like blood in any way. They started around 10am and I was done by about 2pm. Everything went well as they gradually increased the volume. The nurse's were really happy to use the picc line. I was able to get my dose of meds at the same time as the infusion. Cool.
Have another one scheduled for the 17th of May. I should loose the fanny pack (even though it's bad ass) in less than 3 weeks. I'm sure I will see my internal meds doctor before my next IvIg, to see if all is good on that front.
blog soon,
vic

looks like soda water not blood

fake smile, cause i'm freaked!!!!

   Tomorrow will mark 2 weeks at home with no re-admittance to any major hospital. Hurray!!!!! I went for my usual meeting with my oncologist on Wednesday. This will be the first one since the last 2 hospital visits. It seems that my condition has been the talk around the second floor at PMH. My doctor has entrusted the help of some 6 different doctors to help figure of what to do. That's right, "what are we going to do"?????? Some one my age should not be getting these kind of viruses. This led my doc to check out a certain antibody in my blood. I appears that I have no IgG antibody's (immunoglobulin-G).
     IgG is a natural product made by plasma cells in our body, IgG antibody is a large Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to neutralize foreign objects like viruses and bacteria - hence my problem - I have none. All the doctors have decided to put my chemo on hold indefinitely. My levels in that area seem to be holding well, and focus on a new treatment for the IgG. They can't give me the chemo because it's designed to kill bad cells. It sometimes takes some good ones with it. With me, they can't take that chance without me getting sick. This is what they think is happening when I get admitted to the hospital. On the 19th I will be getting the first IgG blood infusion. Not sure how many I will be getting but I have 2 book already.
    This blood can be made up from 100 different donor's. Mine is made from only 10 donor's with this special antibody taken out and infused into me. This is crazy stuff. Went on a American website and they pay $10k for one adult dose. Thank god for Canadian health care. Like any infusion/transfusion their are side effects. This is where the fun begins; I could have a heart attack or stroke if it's infused to quickly. I could have kidney failure. Those are the worst cases. The better ones are like, headache's, rashes and stiff neck. So not much else to say other than I feel ok. I still have the IV fanny pack tied to my hip. The antibiotics are running havoc on my digestive system.
blog soon
vic