Second thoughts

I'm beginning to have second thoughts about having lymphoma.  Now that I'm a few months into it, the magic is starting to wear off.  Sure, the extra attention is nice, and people are truly amazing.  But I'd have to say I'm ready to return to the ranks of the cancer free.

The last two weeks have been worrisome.  We've been waiting to find out when we'll be traveling up to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for my stem cell treatments.  Christina called and talked to Dr. Maloney, the specialist who will be performing the transplant.  He looked at the PET scan I'd had the week before and told Christina we're behind schedule in putting the cancer into remission and that we should be more aggressive with it.

We've been worried about our local doctor ever since we've begun treatment.  He is from India, graduated from medical school before I was born, and is not a very talkative person.  On the other hand, Dr. Patel is very grandfatherly, has a very positive attitude, and takes time to answer all of our questions.  We just aren't always sure we're asking the right ones.  He also seems to be forgetful at times.

So, we called Columbia Basin Oncology and Hematology and asked if we could see another doctor.  We were ready to switch.  We saw Doctor Gamboa on Wednesday.  He is a year younger than me and communicates very well.  He seemed very open.  He also told us that Dr. Patel is the lymphoma expert in their clinic and the one that he would defer to in treating this disease.  He also let us know that he agrees with Dr. Patel's approach in treating my case.  He pointed out that the symptoms are improving.  They can't manually feel my lymph nodes or my spleen anymore, so we know that they are getting back to their normal size.  My other symptoms have improved.  Also, we didn't start out with a PET scan, so we don't really have an original to compare the last one against.  Dr. Gamboa recommended that we continue with my current regimen, especially since I only have one more round to go.  Then we'll take another PET scan and evaluate. If the cancer is in remission, I'll be able to go up to Seattle and start the stem cell transplants.  If not, they will put me on a more aggressive chemotherapy regimen.

Dr. Patel also spoke with Dr. Maloney and it sounds like they are on the same page.  So Christina and I are feeling more confident again.  And I just made it through my fifth round of chemo with flying colors.  The lumbar puncture wasn't too bad, although it did take a few prods of the needle through my spinal cord to find my spinal fluid.  And I had to go in for a blood transfusion on Friday to boost my red blood cell counts.  But other than that, not too bad.  I had a few nice naps.