So close and yet so far.

12:25 pm -- Here we are, back at home, but I had no second rituxan treatment.

As is usual, when I arrived, they took the usual vital signs; pulse, blood pressure, temperature, etc. Then when one enters the infusion room, blood samples are taken and analyzed. After a time, Dr.Hema came in and asked about my temperature and other history over the week since my last rituxan infusion. He opined that the issue may be virus activation, a rare side effect of rituxan. Rituxan evidently wakes up the dormant virus and tells it to get busy. Treatment can be given to stop it, but it's necessary to identify which virus is the culprit.

All adult human bodies contain viruses that, in almost all cases, remain dormant for life. An example is Epstein-Barr virus. As many as 95% of adults between 35 and 40 years of age have been infected. There are several other viruses that infect most adults but remain dormant for life.

In order to identify the particular virus to treat for in order to resume the rituxan infusions, Dr. Hema ordered more blood samples. I am starting to think Dr. Hema's answer to most problems is to draw blood!

He said that there is never a dull moment with me and I told him it would be great fodder for a medical journal article he should write, "The Man With Every Single Known Symptom!"

We are disappointed, but I surely want to do this right. The next appointment is Wednesday, August 12.