Progress!

I started my clinical mid September. After 28 days on it I had a full body PET and CT scan. I knew things were improving because I could no longer feel large lumps on my neck. Also I had lost the sensation of being strangled in my throat. I was hopeful my scans would show improvement and thinking if they did perhaps the dose would be raised and we would continue. The scan was much better than that, it showed remission. No metabolic activity, that meant no active disease. It was a pretty wonderful moment to say the least.

I have continued on the clinical trial drug to keep me in remission until I have a stem cell transplant. Today I had meetings all day at the hospital. Things look like they are continuing to go well. So we are pressing forward with my transplant. Very soon. My doctors do not want to give my cancer a chance to return. My brother is going to be my donor. So he has scheduled testing and dates they will collect his stem cells for me. It looks like I will be going in the hospital the week of December 10th. The first 8 days will be mega chemo to kill off my white blood cells. Not really looking forward to this part. Then I will get a simple IV to receive my new stem cells. I will be in the hospital at least a month while my new immune system is building. Then I will be gradually recuperating for several months. Because I am using a donor there are some additional possible side effects. Mainly from something called Graft vs Host disease. A little of this is a good thing, it will mean my new immune system is active and aggressive. However too much aggression can become a bad thing. It could be a minor reaction like a skin rash, or my eyes, mouth, liver, lungs, muscles and joints, digestive track or many other organs could be impacted. Woah. I am such a planner, I wish I knew what to expect post transplant so I could start adapting if necessary. But I have to just roll with it.

The new year is a big unknown territory for me, but I still feel very grateful to have the opportunity to look forward to it.