So M, how are you and Megan doing today.

The clinic was incredible Melinda - they are a research clinic and infusion
clinic associated with my rd who I trust immensely.  The care and followup
was second to none.  My infusion nurse was a trauma ER nurse and can do an
put in an iv like no one else.  She uses gravity(the dangle lady she calls
herself - you dangle your arm - no tourneque thingy.  No bruising no pain no
muss.

They will do the next treatment and I probably will have no reaction.  We
are going to change the protocol and I will take 45 mg of prednisone the
night before and then the 100 ml of solumedrol early in the morning before
the infusion.  Lots of benedryl and we will divide the infusion in two just
in case we can't get it in the same day - then we will do two days in a row.
If we can get the speed of delivery up (that was where the problem occured
this time) we can do it all in one day.

They can't tell efficacy after one treatment but have done some tests on 1/2
the amount that they do and have some figures on that efficacy so guess they
can guess a bit.

I am sore today - but the solumedrol is doing the RA good (of course.) My
chest, throat and glands are tender though - probably from the spasms of the
breathing problem.  It is easing a bit though with regular breathing and
relaxing exercises.  Hopefully now that the solumedrol is wearing off I can
sleep this afternoon and this evening.

I must admit I fell apart when I heard they might not continue yesterday and
we might have to abandon ship.  I would have continued and told them so.  I
did however say I needed the slower dose to gain some confidence.  Was
really glad it wasn't heart.  Nothing permanent and next time will be a
breeze.  Will take up to 3 months to know if it is working or not though.

Thanks for all the support!  Will make it through this again - thank
goodness I had Donna's experiences before me to prepare for this.  What
would we do without each other?

Kelly