Another Friday, another month of IV Chemo…
This time we’re at Kaiser-Permanente in Burke, VA, since Tyson’s Corner, VA, has Coronavirus patients. 🤧😷🤒
All of the local Oncology and Infusion patients are going to Burke now, with fastidious protocols for staying protected and practicing social distancing. ✌🏻
In response to our earlier email about my continued IV Rituxan therapy until we meet with Johns Hopkins to discuss my PET/CT scan results, cancer history, and long term prognosis, we got the following emails from Kaiser-Permanente:
Hi Ken and Vicky,
I made an appointment for Ken on Friday 3/13 at 9:00 am for Rituxan. Unfortunately, the 8:00 am appt is taken now, but if we get a cancellation I’ll switch the appt to 8:00 am if you would like.
See you soon,
Please call Oncology or email your Physician for any questions or concerns.
Suzanne Moore RN BSN OCN
Oncology Dept
Tysons’ Corner Medical Center
———
From: SHALINI DOGRA MD
Sent: 3/8/2020 11:18 PM EDT
To: KENNETH FOREMAN
Yes… I had messaged the Oncology staff that he can continue on Rituxan until his appointment at JHU if he wants. We can see what they say about Rituxan.
If he is to continue Rituxan maintenance, the protocol would not be weekly. I believe it’s every other month.
I am just worried about the decreased lymphocytes with Rituxan and his risk for viral infections.
He does not qualify for the trial/consultation at NIH because of the recent scan not showing any lymphoma activity.
The weekly or monthly Rituxan was to have been in the setting of active lymphoma being treated with Revlimid and Rituxan.
Based on the recent scan, I did not feel he needs weekly Rituxan.
In wake of all this viral outbreak, I want to make sure we are not weakening his immune system with continued Rituxan.
While we’re grateful for the good news that my most recent PET/CT scan was negative for active tumors, we’re a bit wary of immediately stopping chemotherapy and immunotherapy until Johns Hopkins and NIH weighs in with their recommendations. Twice now, my cancer has recurred within 2-3 months of my remission, we’d rather not this be my third.
Dr. Dogra,
As you’re well aware, Ken’s mantle cell lymphoma has been particularly aggressive. Twice after remission, his cancer came back. First after the Nordic Protocol, it recurred around 2 months after treatment. Second after the bone marrow transplant, it recurred 2-3 months after transplant.
Given Ken’s disease progression & history, we wish to continue with the Rituxan treatment until speaking with Dr. Meade on March 19th. If you could please reschedule the Rituxan treatment every Friday as previously scheduled. We’d also want NIH’s recommendations on how we might decrease the possibility of further recurrence.
Previously, it was discussed that Rituxan Therapy as a maintenance chemo for three years would reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Has that changed? Could Ken remain on Rituxan until this has been discussed with Dr. Meade on the 19th?
Thanks,
Victoria & Ken Foreman
Began my first cycle of Rituxan (weekly IV chemo) and Revlimid (daily oral chemo) this week. Vicky and I spent Sunday trying to make the most of it…
