The Next Step

Yesterday's visit to the Doc's was a little overwhelming, as I got the results of my tests, and an outline for treatment for the next couple of months. As with anything, the results weren't entirely straightforward. The most important test was the PET, the doctor said it was clear, except for some "mild uptake" by two masses in my chest. These were in the area of my biopsy, so they aren't sure if it's active cancer, some sort of fall-out from the surgery, or any number of other possibilities. This pic is a typical PET scan, though this isn't mine.


Regardless, he wants me to have another round of chemotherapy (they call it 'salvage therapy') before the transplant begins. The reasoning is that if the response to this treatment is good, then the transplant is more successful. So Friday I head back in to the hospital for another round. This time the drugs will be slightly different, but I'll be staying there for another 4 days.

On the rebound from this treatment, when my body is generating lots of white blood cells, they'll spend 3-5 days collecting cells from me for the transplant. The following week, 1/29, I'll start radiation, and continue for 2 weeks, Mon-Fri. The last Friday, 2/9, I'll head in for the transplant.

So thats the plan, I'll be in the hospital this Friday-Monday, and usually can take visitors, but not sure of the hours, the address is 1275 York Avenue, between 67th and 68th Streets in Manhattan's Upper East Side. I'll post more info as I get it.

I've had a nice 2 week hiatus from the hospital, so I've been resting, recharging, and looking to put this behind me.

-Jeff