Santa brought me my last dose of IL-2 for Christmas!!!

Update on TILs infusion day:

First TILs bag

On Tuesday 12/22 I received my army of TILs via an infusion of 3 IV bags.  I was amazed by the process (since as a research pharmacist I am not involved in the preparation/administration of any of the cellular products).  A very nice Cell Therapist, arrived shortly before noon with the cryo-container (super cold container for the three infusion bags containing the TILs), gloves, water bath, and lots of paperwork.  After my nurse set up the normal saline carrier fluid, the Cell Therapist, removed the first metal IV bag holder from the cryo-container (click her to see video), verified the information with the nurse (making sure it was for me) and placed it in the warm water bath to slowly thaw the cells.  After a few minutes the Cell Therapist removed the IV bag and handed it off to my nurse to be hung.  Each IV bag contained about 100mL and ran over 30-45 minutes.  I was super excited to see this part of the study and prayed that the infusions went well.  I am happy to report that all 3 IV bags were infused with no issues at all 😊.

Update on IL-2 infusions:

Just hanging out :)

The IL-2 infusions are necessary to really ramp up the TILs and make them work.  This study involves 6 IL-2 infusions, 12 hours apart, with the first one starting on the same day as the TILs infusion at 8pm.  I was really nervous for the IL-2 infusion because I know that these infusions can be really hard for patients.  The first 4 IL-2 infusions went smoothly with no issues.  However, a few hours after the 5^th IL-2 infusion (that was given 12/24 at 8pm) I started to have some significant low blood pressure readings but wasn’t having any symptoms.  Thankfully, after 3 liters of fluid (and several hours of the nurses having to provide one-on-one care) my blood pressure stabilized again.  Just to set the scene – if the 3^rd liter of fluids had not worked, the next step was transferring me to the ICU so that they could start medications to increase my blood pressure.  I was so thankful that we avoided that!!  It was a Christmas miracle!!  Since I remained stable, I just received my 6^th and final dose of IL-2 on this white Christmas morning.  And so far, things have been going well – fingers crossed.  I will have to be monitored for 24-48 hours after this infusion to make sure that I don’t have any reactions.

Ta-ta for now!!  I will post another update soon😊.