Next Phase

I'm on to my next phase of treatment, which means a type of radiation treatment. I will get a test dose tomorrow to see if it is going to all the right places, and if so, they will give me a full dosage next week. This radiation is targeted, and will follow a dose of a monoclonal antibody, which I've had with my chemo treatments. The radiation will follow this antibody directly to my b-cells, which is where I have problems. I will have about 3 months of anticipated problems with blood counts because the radiation will be destroying my b-cells in my bone marrow. The goal is to give me a longer remission period. I was tested today and my counts are all good to go, so onward with this phase.

R&R

I've been enjoying my time away from any treatment. We went to LA for my nephew's wedding and will go east to see grandkids, daughter, brothers and in-laws in a week. Then I'll do a weekend retreat to quilt. It's very liberating not to be tied to medications or treatments for a while. I'll be back at MD Anderson to do the radiation in late September, but until then, freedom. After that, I'll be restricted from traveling again probably until around Christmas.

I'm back biking regularly, which is great. I really missed it. I certainly am not back to pre-diagnosis distance, but doing well. I just wanted to update everyone since it has been a while since my last posting.

Success

I received my results from all the testing and I am in complete remission. The team at MD Anderson have done a fabulous job ridding my body of cancer - they are awesome.

I'll still have my maintenance drugs for the next year as well as the radiation treatment in late September. These should help keep me cancer free for a longer period of time. Lymphoma can be a bit pesky and return, so I will be retested every 4 months for two years and then that regimen will get reduced, but I will always have to be monitored.

My success has in no small part due to the support of all of my wonderful friends and family sending encouragement, offers of food, flowers and lots of spiritual support. Ted has been Mr. Wonderful, taking good care of me through all of this. You all have made a difference and helped me fight this disease. Thank you all for that.

With love and hope,
Marilyn

Testing Completed 7/23/09

After 11 hours at MDA, I finished my testing yesterday to check to see how my treatment is working. Boy, it is the best place to go for cancer, but they sure know how to check every part of your body, and that's not in a good way! I decided this time not to try to be tough, and got anesthetized for my bone marrow biopsy. What a difference - I woke up sore, but did not have to deal with the trauma of it all. If any of you ever have to do one - take the easy route.

I'll know what all the tests reveal next week and see where my treatment goes from there. If all is well, I'll continue my targeted monoclonal antibody therapy and do my targeted radioimmunotherapy (radiation) maybe in late September. These two drugs work together and just go after my B cells in my blood, which are causing me all my problems. It should help keep the disease in remission.

Keep your fingers and toes crossed that I have good news next week. I'll let y'all know.

June 26, 2009 Update

Well, today is my last chemotherapy treatment. I am very happy to be able to say that. Will have some recovery time, then get restaged in a few weeks to ensure the lymphoma is under control. After that, I'll get a couple of months off before I continue my monocolonal antibody treatment and get my one time targeted radiation therapy sometime late in September. Right now, the doctor is very pleased with my progress and I feel extremely positive about how things are going.

Because I'll have 60 days with no treatments and no meds, I'll be able to travel and see the family beginning in August. I have a trip to LA for my nephew Michah's wedding and also want to go east and see grandkids, daughter and brothers. After September, I'll be grounded again for a while, so I have to make the most of my time.

June 6, 2009 Update

I finished the 3rd round of chemo a week ago Friday. As I had heard before, the cumulative effect gets a bit worse with each time, and that seems to be the case. I've been extremely tired this time, but am now coming out of my haze. Since I know that the treatment is working, it's much easier to accept the side effects. Everyone has been really supportive, and I thank you all for that. I still have hair, although the color is much different - no, it didn't grow in a different color, I just can't dye it anymore.

The next schedule begins on the 24th if all is right with the world. After that, I'll have a break from everything and can travel for a few weeks before my radio-immunotherapy begins, probably in September. After that, I'll be Houston bound until Christmastime.

Ted is being very good to me and is now getting the training to volunteer at M.D. Anderson playing the piano in some of the public areas in the hospital. He has also given platelets a couple of times and will continue doing that too. I encourage any of you that have the temperament to give blood, do so when you can. There are lots of cancer patients and others that are in need. Dogs and cats are hovering around me all the time, so I am never without companionship. Even the mean cat Mellie is cuddling up with me.

Progress Update

I know it's been a while since I last updated everyone on my progress. I was waiting for the results of my testing from last week. I have fantastic news. The treatments are definitely working and the size of my tumors have been reduced by about 50% and my bone marrow is now cancer free. The doctor was very happy and said I am doing better than average at this stage in my treatment plan.

I'll resume my chemotherapy next Wednesday. My platelets are still low, but no longer a big worry since it seems to be the way the disease affects me. I've gotten a little cold, so we're waiting a week to get better from that and give the platelets some extra time to rebound.

All in all, a great day.