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.
Such a delicate balance! Wear you mask!