Real Progress!

Two infusions down, two more to go!  Well my friends, we are seeing a visible difference here, and I wanted to show you some before and after pictures to put into perspective what this miracle drug is already doing for me after just one week:

BEFORE:

Protrusion and swollen lid, photo taken 10/18, just before first treatment.

AFTER:

Noticeable improvement and reduction of swelling in upper lid and below eye.

BEFORE:

A little blurry, but you can see how swollen my eyelids are the day of my first infusion.

AFTER:

After one week you can really see a reduction in the swelling and protrusion!

And one more "after" angle, without glasses.

Needless to say that I am thrilled.  Not only do I have personal observations and photographic evidence to document this progress, but I also have scientific measurement.  Last Wednesday (10/20) I went to visit Dr. Suddesh, my ophthalmologist, who took measurements and confirmed that my eyeballs had indeed receded by give or take 3mm.  This is great news!  It shows that this stuff is already working, and working fast!  

Aside from feeling a little sluggish the day of and the day after my treatment, I really have felt great all week long.  I really haven't experienced any noticeable side effects from the Rituxan, just some soreness in my had where the IV was, and also some tenderness and aching behind my eyeballs, particularly when I look far right or left, or up or down.  Nothing intolerable in any case.

Today's infusion went off without a hitch.  My mom accompanied me today to the busy infusion center.  Unfortunately I was not blessed with the Royal Rituxan Room Suite this time, but instead I had a spot at a recliner station, more like a bunk at a Best Western.  I also had a nurse who could have used a serious personality infusion, but at least she had good IV skills, and I experienced much less pain and swelling in my hand today.  Today the infusion went more quickly, "only" taking five hours, as opposed to the seven hours it took last week.  It was the same drill: an hour plus of pre-meds (steroids and Benedryl which successfully prevented an allergic reaction), followed 700 mg of Rituxan, which they were able to administer more quickly today, since I took it well last week.  

Dr. Vempaty (my oncologist) happened to stop by in passing, and she was practically gushing with excitement at the news of the measurements that Dr. Suddesh had taken.  She told me that this is quite common to see in patients, and that again reiterated that the Rituxan just "melts" these tumors away.  I am so very pleased to know that I am halfway through my treatment and already seeing such results.  Like water to the Wicked Witch of the West, this miracle drug is taking these tumors DOWN.