09/12/2025
“CHEMO INDUCED AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES”?!!? Join me on a travel day to Maryland for my infusion!
So yes …chemo induced autoimmune diseases! I never even knew it was a thing!
About 6 mos after I completed chemotherapy for my diagnosis of breast cancer back in 2021 I was diagnosed with Diffuse “CREST” Scleroderma AND Rheumatoid Arthritis. Over the past few years it has progressed fast. Left hip replacement in 2023, 2 further surgeries in 2024, issues with my left arm, both hands and joints, skin tightening covering 75% of my body including my face/mouth area (which I hate so much 😢) and the beginning stages of pulmonary fibrosis 🫁
With no success from a lot of meds, I have found the best team out of Johns Hopkins who strictly deals with Scleroderma patients and the link between cancer and autoimmune diseases. In fact..I’m lucky enough to be part of their research program (yay me …sarcasm). Kidding/sarcasm aside, if I can be a part of something that will help another than I’m all for it 🫶🏻🫶🏻.
The new medicine is an infusion called Rituxan/Rituximab. The plan is to help keep these diseases in check. We can’t reverse these diseases and unfortunately there is no cure, but if we can slow the progression down, than that’s a win!!
My infusions are 2 infusions, 2 weeks apart, every 6 mos and have to be administered out of the Cancer Infusion Dept (which for someone who had to undergo chemotherapy years ago, this is definitely not a place you care to ever be in again).
This time it got pushed to 8 mos so I definitely haven’t been feeling well, so I hope this kicks in and works fast. My infusions are in Baltimore, Maryland so it’s a long day. 3 1/2-4 hours of travel with a 4-6 hour infusion time and then a 3 1/2-4 hour drive home LONG days but if it helps …we will take it and I’m so thankful I found such an amazing team. They are in full communication with my oncology team here in NJ with every step, so I couldn’t be more thankful.
My husband of course is my rock. These days are not easy for him. Not only is he driving on these long days, which can be so stressful, but he is taking care of me on the day of my infusions and days/weeks after when I’m not feeling well.
I love you my Jeffy 💕💕🫶🏻. Thank you for all you do for me and our beautiful family. I’m so sorry I have put so much on your plate 😞. I never thought that for someone who ate right, exercised every day and did “everything by the book” so many cards would be dealt our way. It can always be worse, so I’m thankful for where I’m at, my team of drs, and how through it all - I’m still KICKING ASS, but I know I couldn’t do this without you!
Thank you for loving me through all this 😘 and thank you, to you all who watch and follow, for supporting my journey as my story continues to change. 🫶🏻🫶🏻