Colleen[9]: New developments.

[mdlbear]

As it turns out, Colleen is not going to be moved to a nursing home next week. They're going to try Remicade,

... a drug used to treat autoimmune disorders. Infliximab is known as a "chimeric monoclonal antibody" (the term "chimeric" refers to the use of both mouse (murine) and human components of the drug i.e. murine binding Fab domains and human constant Fc domains). The drug blocks the action of the pleiotropic proinflammatory TNFα (tumour necrosis factor alpha) by binding to it and preventing it from signaling the receptors for TNFα on the surface of cells. TNFα is one of the key cytokines that triggers and sustains the inflammation response.

Before they can start, though, they have to run a tuberculosis test, because it's an immune suppressant. Makes things like TB flare up. Anyway, they have to read the test Tuesday and Thursday, so she's probably in the hospital at least through the end of the weekend. If it works, it might shorten the time it takes for her to recover. Well worth the risks. (This page on the Remicade site has a good summary of how it works; scroll down for the warnings. Fortunately she'll be in the hospital for the first dose, so they'll be able to watch her more carefully for side effects than would be possible if she were an outpatient.)

Anyway, it's potentially a very hopeful development.

The household has pulled together; the kids and I are coping pretty well. More on that later, perhaps.

Comments

[bookwyrm172006.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm glad they're not being completely inhumane. Good luck! I hope the drug works.

[mdlbear]

Except for the one bit of idiocy, they're actually doing pretty well. Thanks for the good wishes.

[mia-mcdavid.livejournal.com]

Fingers crossed for you; I hope the treatment really goes well.

[mdlbear]

Thanks!

Potentially wonderful

[capplor.livejournal.com]

I'll keep some virtual fingers crossed.

Re: Potentially wonderful

[mdlbear]

Thank you! We'll see how it goes.

[brmj.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

[mdlbear]

Thanks.

[thnidu.livejournal.com]

Prayers and Good Thoughts to you and Colleen.

[mdlbear]

Thanks!!

[judifilksign.livejournal.com]

Well, after taking this new drug, she'll be a Mouseketeer, right? All better, chipper and happy? (At least, we are all hoping, with fingers crossed.)

[mdlbear]

*smile* Let's hope!

[chaoswolf]

The household has pulled together; the kids and I are coping pretty well.

The heck it is! You have any idea how lonely it gets when I'm the only one here when I get home from school? No, I'm not coping well. Admittantly, De Anza can go fuck itself at the end of the quarter (I filed for my degree today), but no I'm not taking this well. Grr.

[mdlbear]

You think I don't know how lonely it is???

It's not fun, but we're coping -- we're not falling to pieces, the house is still standing, we're not killing one another no matter how tempting it is, we can visit Colleen whenever we want and have the time, and she'll be home soon.

You've been coping without your Woozle for a lot longer than I am likely to without my Cat, and I am damned proud of you.

[roaringmouse.livejournal.com]

Mandlebear and chaoswolf,,

breathe... this too shall pass. You guys can cope. Chaos... If you can handle gruppy gofers, you can handle anything. Have a little faith and confidence in yourself.

So Colleen is going to be a cat with mouse inside. Oh like a wolf in sheep clothing. giggle.

take it easy both of you.

[mdlbear]

Thanks. I'm doing fine, and Colleen is more bored than anything else. It's all new to the Wolfling, she was only 8 or so years old the last time Colleen was in the hospital this long.