2008 May » Love is the most excellent way

4 weeks on Remicade

Crohn's Disease, General updates No Responses »

May 312008

Two weeks ago I was ready to give up on it because I thought it always took effect in the first two weeks, if it’s going to work.

But then I heard it can take longer and in the last week I’ve been feeling a bit better. So maybe it is helping after all. I was aware my doctor would like me to have another infusion before making a decision about whether to stay on it and that’s fine with me now it seems like it might be helping.

I saw my doctor yesterday. Like I expected, she does want me to have the next infusion of Remicade. It’s scheduled for June 13 but she’ll move it up if I get much worse because of stopping the two medications. She’s doubling the Remicade dose for the next infusion to see if that works better. A couple of weeks after that I’m seeing her again. Continue reading »

School awards

General updates No Responses »

May 262008

Ben received the Gauss award for excellence in Freshman Math and got a certificate for outstanding achievement in History. Also, his English and Science teachers nominated him for an award which one Freshman gets each year.

Esther received an award for being selected to play in the IMEA orchestra and also the Principal’s Citizenship award. Esther and about five of her friends received the Principal’s award for starting and maintaining a recycling program at her school. They asked for it to be put in place because there was none and they empty the recycling bins regularly.

So much for Remicade

General updates 2 Responses »

May 212008

I had the first Remicade infusion 19 days ago and the second 7 days ago.

I didn’t have any sort of bad allergic reaction, which is good, but I also don’t think it’s helping at all. Which is very disappointing.

I have another infusion scheduled for June 13 but I don’t think there’s any point in having it. I’m seeing my doctor May 30 so she can find out how I’m doing. I’m sure we’ll discuss it then. There’s another similar medication I could try instead (Humira) which works for some people that Remicade doesn’t work for. It’s administered by self-injection (every other week), which I’m not thrilled about. But I suppose it’s worth it if it helps.

School Concerts May 2008

General updates, Music No Responses »

May 172008

Ben and Esther’s end of year school orchestra concerts were both this week.

Esther is concertmaster of the 7th and 8th grade string orchestra at her school. Ben is concertmaster of the “freshman plus anyone who didn’t make the Symphony Orchestra” string orchestra at his (a huge group this year – they have about 80 members). Next year Ben will be in Symphony Orchestra but freshmen are not permitted to join it.

Here are two videos from Esther’s and one from Ben’s concert. Continue reading »