Rituxan

Wow,?! That's crazy. I'm glad she can get back on the Nplate. I wasn't sure how long they had to be off before they could go back on the drug. If you get the splenectomy, I hope it works. That's a hard decision.

Pauline,

Hope Caitlin's had a great birthday. Its disappointing to hear that the Rituxan doesn't appear to have worked. At least you have now tried it and know that though, so you can rest easier on other decisions.

Ali

Yes, it does make the decision easier now that we've tried everything. I'm sure I will start getting nervous as the time gets closer though!! I am really looking forward to getting her back on the Nplate. At least I know she won't have the same symptoms she does with IVIG, Prednisone, and Rituximab. She does still get nausea and headaches, but they are minimal compared to what she gets with the other treatments. Who knows, Nplate may even work better since she just had the Rituximab.

Caitlin had a good birthday. We just took 5 girls out to a place called Gatti Town for a late lunch & games and then they all got pedicures. We ended the day by taking them to the pet store and Caitlin got two guinea pigs. We were trying to convince my husband to let us get a new puppy (golden retriever), but it was a little overpriced and we have two week-long trips we are taking this summer so it would be harder to find someone to take care of two Goldens since we already have one that is about 6 or 7. Caitlin is so excited about her two guinea pigs and we thought for hours on what names to use and I "think" she ended up with Carmel and Machiano since she loves that drink at Starbucks. (It was either that or Hugs and Kisses.) Will find out after the girls wake up what their final pick was!

Happy Birthday to Caitlin.

Poor kid, she has been through such a rough time.

My feeling was also that the rituxan did not work. Her rise in counts was probably due to the prednisone. WOW - 120 mg. Crazy!!!

I am suprised that they did not give her something for her stomach. When Danica was on the higher doses, they gave her Pariet to help with the stomach. She also takes it when she is on the decadron.

Hope things get better (I don't think it can be much worse than what she has been through this past month).

Blessings;

Michelle - mom to Danica

LOL - I am hoping that she chose Carmel and Machiano. The other names really remind me of what I called the first two cats I ever had. I couldn't think of any names I liked, but my sister started calling them Debit and Credit (I am an accountant) and the names stuck. I had years of trying to avoid telling friends what they were called!!!!! Am also hoping (against all reason) that Dougie settles for a pedicure when he is 12 later this year - his preferred options so far are paintballing, football, or Waterworld (a swimming pool with lots of slides, chutes, flumes etc)...........

Ali

Awww! That sounds like such a fun birthday! I love both sets of names! Too cute! You sound like the nicest mom! And...don't give up on the Rituxan just yet. Sometimes it can take a month or more for it to really kick in. You never know...next time she goes, she may have another birthday surprise. Bless her little heart. I can't imagine being so young and going through all this mess! Good luck to the both of you! It will all work out in the end!

Natalie

I too, like the names she has chosen. (I have always been partial to 'cuff' and 'link' for two animals, although I have NEVER named any twin lambs that). I did name a set of triplets Huey, Dewey and Louie once. the next year, that same ewe had three again, so I called them Snap, Crackle and Pop.

Anyway, I just read Natalie's post, and it kind of opened my eyes when she said that it could take a month or two to kick in. She could be right. Unfortunatley, myself, I always want improvement right away. This waiting game is a killer!!!

Did the girls have a sleepover? If so, you will have one very tired 12 year old today.

Michelle

Caitlin's platelets: now hear this! Rise! Do the infinity thing!!! Ann, Caitlin's (23) Mom

I truly hope that they do start to rise and the Rituximab response makes a late appearance, but I do also have to be realistic...and realize that this may not be the miracle we were hoping for. The dr really seems to think it is already a failure and she is an ITP specialist. I kind of think deep down, she didn't think it was going to work, which was why she was trying to direct us towards a splenectomy first. She also had already talked to multiple people before she even got the labs back about what to do next if her count was down. I am thankful for that because I don't ever get a "I don't know what to do next" from her dr. She is always upbeat and never makes us feel like we're out of options even though we are close to that point. I think that's part of the reason why Caitlin is never scared about her ITP. She knows her count is low, but she doesn't let it get her down. And I'm real careful about showing how I really feel too because I want her to have that optimistic outlook no matter what.

By the way...she did end up naming her guinea pigs Carmel and Machiano. I'm not a big fan of "rodents" and sorry to call them that, but they really are cute and they do have a personality! They squeak real loud when Caitlin comes in the room and climb up to the side of the cage like they are acknowledging her. I think we are going to enjoy them, but I hope Caitlin keeps up her end by cleaning out the cage weekly and keeping them fed on a daily basis!