A girl's got A LOT to live for!

Today was life changing.

I had an appointment with a transplant specialist from Denver.  He is with the Rocky Mountain Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Presbyterian-St.Luke's Medical Center in Denver, CO.  (that's a mouth full)

It was a consult appointment, so I expected it to be about 40 minutes long....but 2 1/2 hours later we had some very interesting information to think about. 

First a transplant coordinator came in to talk to Larry and I about what a transplant entails, and then Dr. B (the specialist) came in to go over the specifics of my case.  He said that with lymphoma it is not a matter of "if" it will transform to a higher grade, as much as "when".  He also said he didn't know why mine had transformed so quickly ( usually it takes years and years to transform).  But, since it had transformed into a more aggressive cancer that I would be a good candidate for a "first remission transplant".  Basically, that means, I would finish out my 6 cycles of R-Chop chemo, and then immediately harvest and transplant my own clean, cancer-free bone marrow (autologous).   

   Dr. B said having this done would give me a 70% chance of long term survival cancer free.  Let me just repeat.....SEVENTY PERCENT.   So, you would think that's a no-brainer...and it is.  And yes, I will have this done.  But the logistics are going to be the next thing to figure out.  There are several steps in preparation for a transplant.  Plus there are lots of pros and cons.  

CONS

1. He works out of Denver, which is where I would have the transplant. ( I live in Grand Junction= 4 hrs away)

2. Once I start the process, I would be IN-PATIENT for 30-40 days.

3. They would have to completely remove my immune system (the sick one), to replace it (with a cancer free one)

4.  My kids could not visit my in the hospital (see #3)

5. There is a 3 month recovery, plus about 1 year before my immune system would return to "normal"

6. I would be away from my kids for 30-40 days

PROS

1. SEVENTY PERCENT CHANCE OF LONG TERM SURVIVAL

These lists are partial, because there are so, so many details.  I will also be getting a 2nd opinion possibly in Salt Lake.  A lot of options to weigh. 

CHEMO UPDATE:  I have been feeling fairly good this week.  I am still very achy from the Neulasta shot, but the doctor today said that was normal for it to take a little longer with each treatment as it takes my immune system longer each time to recover.  Also, tonight I'm trying a new sleeping pill :)  Wish me luck!  I'm tired of seeing 3am!

GOOD THOUGHT:
How 'bout a good pic instead??

I know right??  A-dor-able!!!!   A girl's got a lot to live for!!!