Careful what you wish for
Well I wanted to get started and I get my wish. Problem is I have double hit large B cell lymphoma. Cells are mutating making them grow faster and harder to kill. Luckily NIH found the R EPOCH therapy regimen and got similar outcomes to regular lymphoma. The bad news is you get each chemo session over 5 days in the hospital every 21 days. Plus they may add another drug in between. Aggressive cancer equals aggressive treatment.
The double hit describes the two mutations that are happening. (and yes double secret probation immediately flashed into my mind). You don't find that until a few days after the biopsy so this was a late breaking update to my diagnosis. Quite the gut punch - but we kind of knew things were growing pretty fast. Not totally unexpected
So a really really rough road ahead. But these guys got it down and they love our chances of kicking this just as hard as it’s kicking me. I cannot tell you how great our team at MD Anderson was today - our doctor is pretty damn brilliant yet so nice and explained everything thoroughly. Really made it clear we got this - but we have to get it now.
The bones will pretty quickly start to heal once we get the party started and they are still concerned about the brain crap - but will do another scan to see if we have issues there.
So we have a plan - huge relief on that.
So Thursday becomes day 1 of a 21 day cycle. After the 5 days, we go home and recover - that is days 6 through 10. Day 11-13 I may have to go in for three days to get methotraxate (sp) if they are worried about the central nervous system being compromised. Then day 21-25 we are back in the hospital for round two.
Six total rounds - sounds much easier than 4-6 months of chemo - 6 sessions.
And so we wanted to get going and we are. And we are ready - the prep work helped, the research helped, all your love support and prayers helped.
We still go this - because really, the alternative is not on our agenda.
The double hit describes the two mutations that are happening. (and yes double secret probation immediately flashed into my mind). You don't find that until a few days after the biopsy so this was a late breaking update to my diagnosis. Quite the gut punch - but we kind of knew things were growing pretty fast. Not totally unexpected
So a really really rough road ahead. But these guys got it down and they love our chances of kicking this just as hard as it’s kicking me. I cannot tell you how great our team at MD Anderson was today - our doctor is pretty damn brilliant yet so nice and explained everything thoroughly. Really made it clear we got this - but we have to get it now.
The bones will pretty quickly start to heal once we get the party started and they are still concerned about the brain crap - but will do another scan to see if we have issues there.
So we have a plan - huge relief on that.
- Tuesday - lots of tests, PET scan, gonna have a port in my arm to continue to pore in the drugs, this is spinal tap, blood work,
- Wednesday - just a little drill into the hip for a bone marrow biopsy
- Thursday - admitted to hospital for 5 days of chemo - let the good times roll!!
So Thursday becomes day 1 of a 21 day cycle. After the 5 days, we go home and recover - that is days 6 through 10. Day 11-13 I may have to go in for three days to get methotraxate (sp) if they are worried about the central nervous system being compromised. Then day 21-25 we are back in the hospital for round two.
Six total rounds - sounds much easier than 4-6 months of chemo - 6 sessions.
And so we wanted to get going and we are. And we are ready - the prep work helped, the research helped, all your love support and prayers helped.
We still go this - because really, the alternative is not on our agenda.
Sending good, healthy vibes your way David! You got this!! (Love the blog.)
ReplyDeleteDoc it is Scott Atkin form class of 84. I now work for AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals in the Biologics division - we grow drugs from cells instead of formulating chemically. Bioloics are extremely targeted drugs that can have less side effects and higher success rates because they effect only certain cells where chemo and radiation therapies are more area effect even when focused. because they are specialized they only treat certain types of cancers in people with specific cell makeup. products like Imfinzi (AZ product approved for NSCLC and Bladder cancers so far that basically makes the cancer visible so your immune system can attack it) and Keytruda (Merck Product manufactured by AZ for some melanomas).
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have a great team but suggest you ask them if any Biologics are in trials or approved for your cancer. If they aren't considering Biologic products there might be an opportunity if your situation is right. It is so cool to see the inroads in treating cancers.
Anyway best of luck in your battle. Cancer CAN be beaten sometimes. My step-sister's cancer brought her to the point of death as she was on the table to get a stem cell treatment. They went ahead and performed the procedure since the outcome couldn't be any worse. Long story short - it worked! She has been cancer free for over 5 years!!