Lymph Journal # 36

3/1/2012

“Congratulations!” 

This was the first word spoken by my oncologist upon entering his office for this week’s consultation with Diane and myself.  Well, rather curious as to what I was being congratulated, I asked, “What for?” 

“You’re in partial remission.”  Now “remission” is always a good word when it comes to cancers.  “Partial” seemed a bit equivocal so we pressed for more details. 

The bottom line is this, in confirmation of earlier suspicions that I was responding to the therapies, the diagnostics of blood work and Monday’s CT scan show that real signs of remission are present.  For example, my spleen, though still enlarged, is shrinking in the direction of normal.  This indicates the eradication of the lymphoma that took root there and was I the expected range of readjustment in size if things were going right.  There were similar results with lymph gland involvement.

So what partial means is that we can’t declare outright victory yet and more therapy is indicated but “partial” is a necessary step toward cure and is the best we can hope for diagnostically at this point.  This is good news and greatly encouraging.

In celebration of the news we treated ourselves to some yummy (apple, raisins, sugar/cinnamon, etc.) crepes and strolled through the pedestrian zone of Lörrach a block from the oncology center.  We followed this up with a quick trip to C&A, a clothing store, where I found a pair of jeans for 9€ that fit my new figure.  Rather than new figure perhaps I should say it resembles the figure I had in Middle School.  I wouldn’t recommend lymphoma as a diet plan but it sure does work.


 My new 9€ jeans and a shirt we bought for Carl two years ago (he won't wear it - long sleeves you know!

We have, however, some serious decisions to make.  The core issue is whether or not to pursue an autologous stem cell transplant procedure.  In this procedure I would undergo two, three-week, courses of a different chemotherapy, my own stem cells would be taken from my blood supply and frozen for later transplantation, then a big hit of more toxic chemo would wipe out much of my capacity to fight disease and produce vital blood cells, followed by the reintroduction of my stem cells to bring back my own blood production.  Some short and longer hospital stays would be involved. There are subtle differences in the averages that concern us – cure, other complications, etc. It is expensive so I’d need a cooperative insurance company.  Alternative to the stem cell procedure would be to extend my current therapy by an additional two cycles and then evaluate.  The stem cell treatment would remain an option as a, to use the lingo of cancer researchers, “salvage” treatment.  Diane asked the straight to the point question, "Well doctor, what would you choose for yourself?"  We were already leaning in the direction of his answer (we'll tell that another time) but we will hear another opinion out.  Again, all sorts of things to consider.

There is a difference of opinion between the local oncology schools (Basel, Switzerland v. Freiburg, Germany) of research and thought. We have an appointment Monday to meet with a doc from Freiburg who has expertise in this area (and spent part of his education with Harvard at Brigham and Women’s Hospital!). 

So, that’s where we stand after yesterday’s good news.  The prayers of so many of you have carried us thus far and we’d like to ask you to pray us through the decision process.  If you’re inclined please pray us through the decision process.  (I’ve also caught my first cold since diagnosis so pray against that becoming too big a deal as well).

In the meantime, Diane and I have a quiet weekend at home as Carl is off Friday morning to BFA’s high school retreat in Lenk, Switzerland (he can’t wait to [a] go sledding and [b] have a weekend with no homework).  I’m on the part of the chemo cycle where I feel my best and Friday’s/Saturday’s weather forecast looks positively springish.  If you think to pray for the retreat as well that would be welcome.

 A screen shot from a Lenk webcam this morning.

                                         Here's the kind of sled typically used in the Alps.