and standing on this side of 2009. Ok, been awhile since I updated and mostly because there was too much head scratching going on since there were still
protein issues with my kidneys, stem cell transplant possible and my BP looking more like Wall Street and giving me just as many shakes.
Medication changes have been made (dropping some and lowering dosage of others) which has helped a lot but still having days of very low BP which still has some heads being scratched.
Also having pain in my abdomen which was considered to be my liver and the aftereffects of chemotherapy but is now pointing to my being well enough for my gallbladder trying to remind me it's still there, expect to have it surgically removed Jan. 16th.
As of last Fri. my protein levels are greatly diminished (still elevated but not bad) and while the lymphoma I have cannot go into remission it's as good a sign that the lymphoma has been pushed back leading us to stem cell transplantation.
We took the bus to Mass General to meet with the Stem Cell Specialist who gave us the low down on the transplant and introduced us to the team and gave us a tour of the facilities.
Mass General has a world wide reputation of doing remarkable things but you still feel like part of a mechanized market, i.e. a piece of meat. I felt like I was being considered for this procedure not so much because it would be in my best interest but rather because I fit the profile of low risk with high possibility of positive results.
While that all sounds good the reality of all this is the lymphoma I have, Mantle Cell Lymphoma, is not curable and the best they can hope for is to push it back in the hope that it would be 5-6 years before needing chemotherapy again or the possibility they have made strides in being able to treat it better. Suffice it to say Stem Cell Transplantation using my own stem cells would be a one shot deal so using it this early in the game would be silly since I've only had the first go around of chemo.
At this point I have decided to speak with my oncologist and we have decided it would be wise to keep checking my blood monthly and the other necessary tests along with a quarterly PET or CT Scan to verify the lymphoma is in check. I will continue to go to my bi-weekly exercise classes which have been very helpful in regaining strength and keep my mind clear. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers and may 2009 be good to you and yours.......... Regards.
Medication changes have been made (dropping some and lowering dosage of others) which has helped a lot but still having days of very low BP which still has some heads being scratched.
Also having pain in my abdomen which was considered to be my liver and the aftereffects of chemotherapy but is now pointing to my being well enough for my gallbladder trying to remind me it's still there, expect to have it surgically removed Jan. 16th.
As of last Fri. my protein levels are greatly diminished (still elevated but not bad) and while the lymphoma I have cannot go into remission it's as good a sign that the lymphoma has been pushed back leading us to stem cell transplantation.
We took the bus to Mass General to meet with the Stem Cell Specialist who gave us the low down on the transplant and introduced us to the team and gave us a tour of the facilities.
Mass General has a world wide reputation of doing remarkable things but you still feel like part of a mechanized market, i.e. a piece of meat. I felt like I was being considered for this procedure not so much because it would be in my best interest but rather because I fit the profile of low risk with high possibility of positive results.
While that all sounds good the reality of all this is the lymphoma I have, Mantle Cell Lymphoma, is not curable and the best they can hope for is to push it back in the hope that it would be 5-6 years before needing chemotherapy again or the possibility they have made strides in being able to treat it better. Suffice it to say Stem Cell Transplantation using my own stem cells would be a one shot deal so using it this early in the game would be silly since I've only had the first go around of chemo.
At this point I have decided to speak with my oncologist and we have decided it would be wise to keep checking my blood monthly and the other necessary tests along with a quarterly PET or CT Scan to verify the lymphoma is in check. I will continue to go to my bi-weekly exercise classes which have been very helpful in regaining strength and keep my mind clear. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers and may 2009 be good to you and yours.......... Regards.
