New Year/Some New Stuff

I am excited to share the news that I was the first patient at SW Oncology in Durango to receive Evusheld injections!

Evusheld is a combination of two monoclonal antibodies made by Astra Zeneca.  “It has been given Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA as a pre-exposure prophylactic for prevention of COVID-19 for immunocompromised persons who may not have built an immune response to the vaccines.” (FDA) 

That means ME!!

“Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced molecules that act as substitute antibodies that can restore, enhance or mimic the immune system’s attack on cells.” (FDA) There are several that are being given to people after COVID exposure to try to help lessen the severity.  I have been eligible for those if I was exposed.  Evusheld is different because it is targeted for PRE-EXPOSURE for specific populations.

The drug is still in investigational stage and very few people have taken it, so there isn’t much information about possible side effects—short term or long term.  I had to have a negative COVID test—the first one I have needed to take in these two years. Following the injections, I had to be observed for an hour for possible reactions.

This drug is so new that there is not a recommended process for determining if there is an antibody response, including an estimate of how long it may take for protection.  My Oncology team is scrambling to figure out where to go from here to see if this helped.

So I am a guinea pig and a pioneer.

And for the first time in a long while, I feel hopeful. 

To all the folks who have refused to even get the vaccine because it is “too new and unknown”, I must seem like the crazy one.   But I never hesitated for a minute to try to do SOMETHING to protect myself. 

Like everyone else, I am so weary of Covid—and it seems like it will never end.

Unlike many people, I have felt like a doomed sitting duck.

As I have written previously, it is unbearable to have so many people unwilling to step up to try to stop a global public health crisis.  Since so many people won’t protect themselves, and others, and me, I have chosen to step into a new unknown to try to protect myself from dying from the virus.

I have had a couple days of aches, headache, mild nausea, low-grade fever, just blah.

Thankfully, no major issues. I don’t plan to change my isolation/family bubble quarantine any time soon—especially since the case numbers are so high right now, but I am hopeful this will help in the long-run.

Thanks to all who have been supporting us with prayers and well wishes.

I continue to hope for hugs, gatherings, and safe travel in times to come.

Wishing you well!!