Sharon and I arrived in Seattle a week ago to begin the process of preparing for my bone marrow transplant treatment. So far so good. Initial lab work (25 tubes of blood taken) was normal. PET scan shows that I continue to be in full remission from my leukemia. The countdown has begun.
The plan is for more testing over the next 10-days including blood testing, pulmonary function testing, bone marrow biopsies, many consultations – dental, nutrition, social work, Infectious disease and pulmonary specialists etc.
Assuming no red flags are raised the fun begins on Thursday the 25th of May when a central line port will be inserted into my chest. The following five days will consist of 4-days of conditioning chemotherapy and 1-day of total body radiation.
The transplant infusion (referred to as “Day Zero”) of my brother’s donor cells will take place on the 31st. I will be hospitalized 3-days after the transplant, or sooner depending on side effects from chemo and will be an inpatient for 2-3 weeks.
It goes without saying that we are anxious. At Fred Hutch there is a team approach with rotating attending physicians. As we were talking with our current attending, I asked her not to sugar coat the risks and rewards of this transplant. We were dismayed when she told us that based on my history and previous treatments, the side effects and mortality are probably higher than what we were previously told, and the odds of a total cure are most likely less than we had hoped.
Having said that, this is where the rubber meets the road as I am running out of options. The compassionate medication that is currently working is predicted to lose its effectiveness within 6-12 months from now. If that would occur the option of a transplant would be gone, and we would metaphorically be grasping at straws. Our perspective is that we are all in. There is a proverb to not look a gift horse in the mouth. The gift is priceless – a perfect bone marrow match from my brother and a chance for a cure.
From today going forward, I will do my best in posting daily updates to this blog Please check here for updates as I will not be sending email updates. Feel free to email Sharon or I if you have questions, thoughts, or just want to find a time to chat.
We anticipate residing in Seattle through September 30. We hope the summer will treat you well and so very much appreciate your caring and support.
Sincerely,
Larry and Sharon