Thursday, November Fourteenth, Two Thousand and Thirteen

Dear Friends and Family,

I was not anticipating to write my last blog in this fashion.  It became necessary, as my lymphoma rapidly progressed beyond the healing point.  I arrived at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Hospital in NYC with high hopes for receiving T-cells to eradicate the Epstein-Barr Virus which has plagued my immune system.   Unfortunately, the lymphoma drastically increased to the point where T-cells were out numbered, not enough for cancer remission.  The doctors suggested that I discuss my final wishes, as options for treatment were near zero.  Difficult, but I am okay.  My soul is at peace.  The sadness is leaving family behind to grieve and of course, my beautiful friends.  I have had a full life and am so blessed.  I fought the fight and didn't give up, but without options one must face reality.  For others who struggle or have witnessed cancer, it is a terrible disease.

On Monday, November 11th, I ascended into Heaven to fly with the angels and reunite with loved ones, having passed before me.  I love you all.  When you think of me, think of the happy and healthy person I was.  Don't ever take life for granted, but live life to the fullest, without complaint. Thank you so much for your thought, concern and prayer during this past year.  You provided me with continued strength and courage.

Love,
Lauren

P.S.  Please become a blood or platelet donor; I used a lot.

"And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand."
                                                                            -An Irish Blessing

Friday, October Eighteenth, Two Thousand and Thirteen

Unfortunately, I never made it to New York.  On Monday I was admitted to Christ due to high fevers and low numbers/platelets.  I've been here all week.  As of now, I will fly out on Sunday and start the T-cell treatment Monday.  We'll get there!

Lauren

Sunday, October Thirteenth, Two Thousand and Thirteen

Hello,

Plans change so quickly around here.  My mom and I fly to New York on Tuesday.  I am going to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center where I will meet with Doctor Richard O'Reilly.  Dr. O'Reilly has developed and introduced in clinical trial, a new immune cell therapy that helps manage Epstein-Barr-virus lymphomas.  I will receive third-party T-cells to help destroy the Epstein-Barr-virus.  I will receive the T-cells one day a week for three weeks.  The hope is that this past chemo along with these T-cells will reduce the amount of active cancer and allow me to get the stem cell transplant.  Unless the cancer is reduced, the stem cell transplant would not be effective.

Fortunately for us, we have family in NY and will stay with my uncle about 30 miles from the hospital.  It is still unclear whether I will stay overnight at the hospital as I receive the T-cells.  This plan was formulated on the spur of the moment and is lacking details.  I will try to update the blog once I have my consultation with Dr. O'Reilly on Wednesday, October 16th.

You can read more about Dr. O'Reilly here:

http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctor/richard-o-reilly


Lauren

God before you,
God behind you,
God above you,
God within you.

Sunday, October Six, Two Thousand and Thirteen

Hello from OSU,

I had a PET scan this past Monday, September 30th. The results were not pleasing to my doctor.  Basically, my body did not respond to the new anti-body drug, brentuximab, as he had hoped.  The PET scan showed progressive Lymphoma.  Dr. Baiocchi decided to go forth with another 5-day chemo regimen.  If I proceed with the transplant now, it could possibly go to waste because I still have too much disease in my body at this time.  I have the best chance of transplant with the smallest amount of disease...so again, I am fully on board with his decision to postpone it until the "window of opportunity" appears. 

There are few options up in the air for the next several weeks regarding my treatment...but nothing has been finalized.

As always, thank you again for all of the support and prayers! 

On a side note, Kristen put together a team for the Cincinnati chapter of the LLS (The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) for the Light the Night Walk this upcoming Thursday, October 10th.  No need to donate because everyone has done so much already!  Here is the link to the page to view: 

http://pages.lightthenight.org/soh/Cinci13/LaurenLenglesSupporters

Thursday, September Twelveth, Two Thousand and Thirteen

Hello all -

Once again, I apologize for the lack of updates.  This past Tuesday, I was released from the James Cancer Hospital where I spent about 35 days...I truly lost count!  I'm currently back in Cincinnati and will remain here for two weeks as long as I feel well.  It took my body several weeks to recover from the treatment in August and that is why I remained hospitalized for so long.  Again...the more chemotherapy, the harder it is for your counts to recover.  I must sound like a broken record, ha!

There was a small "window of opportunity" to reschedule the transplant.  I was scheduled to move to the BMT (bone marrow transplant) floor on September 10th and start the "conditioning" for the transplant.  The actual transplant was planned for September 17th.  I held off from updating the blog with this information because I feel like each time I update it...something changes!  And in true fashion, there have been changes.  I had a PET scan while I was admitted because my EBV titer that had been originally on the decline for weeks had started to go back up.  This means that there is active lymphoma in my body.  I have some disease near my kidney and near my aorta.  So the transplant has been postponed again.  Of course it is frustrating and disappointing but I've learned to anticipate changes.

I started a new antibody-drug called Brentuximab on Monday.  This drug is administered every three weeks.  Brentuximab will target the specific cancer marker I have.  Dr. Baiocchi felt that I could go home during this time and recuperate while the drug does its thing.  While home, I am going to continue to isolate myself and stay out of the public.  My main concern is to take it easy and avoid infection!  I have an appointment in Columbus on September 17th, 24th and a scan on October 1st.  If the Brentuximab works, the transplant will be rescheduled ASAP.

Lauren xoxo
                                       Something I have to remind myself of daily

 *Lord help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that you and I together can't handle
    

Friday, August Sixteenth, Two Thousand and Thirteen

Hi there!

My PET scan showed that the radiation worked on my L5 (spine), but unfortunately displayed several new spots.  The stem cell transplant was postponed.  I was admitted to OSU on Saturday, August 3rd and just finished a five-day chemotherapy treatment to tackle new areas.  I was treated for pneumonia too.  I remain at the hospital, as this is my "bad week" (immediately after chemo).  This way, they can control infection or fever.  I have another PET scan next Friday, August 23rd.  If looking good, a new transplant date will be determined quickly...I'll update the blog when I know more.  I am anxious for the transplant and cannot wait for things to get going...  Afterwards, my hospital stay will continue for several more weeks.

Also, a big THANK YOU to the Fedigan Family (Mom's family) for the huge poster with the encouraging words and signatures, from the recent family reunion.  I loved reading the messages!  It put a big smile on my face :)

Lauren

Sunday, July Twenty-Eighth, Two Thousand and Thirteen

Hello all,

I finished ten rounds of radiation this past Wednesday, July twenty-fourth.  The radiation itself was pretty easy and painless.  The only side effect I have experienced is fatigue.  Thankfully, radiation didn't affect my numbers or blood counts.  We drove up daily for treatment.  I will have a PET scan this Friday, August second.  The scan will show if the radiation worked and if there are any new spots...so please keep me in your prayers that the scan comes out clear!!

There are several pre-transplant tests that I must do to prepare for the Stem Cell Transplant.  I will go to Columbus tomorrow morning and stay until EOD Tuesday.  I will attend an information class and have several tests including an MRI of the brain, bone marrow biopsy, EKG of the heart, spinal tap, and blood work.

A stem cell donor has been contacted and has agreed to the transplant so that is great news! The donor is a 28 year old male.  I do not know where he lives or anything about him.  I will be able to write him a thank you card after the transplant...but other than that, I can contact him one year from transplant.  I hate that I have to wait so long but that is the rule in place.  My admission date is August fourteen.  There is a five or six day chemo involved prior to the transplant so I imagine the actual transplant will take place at the very end of the month.

I will update the blog once I get the results of the PET.  Thank you all for reading and keeping up with my journey.  It means a lot to know that I have such a large support team behind me :)


                                   Ringing the bell for my last radiation treatment

       Enjoying the summer fresh air with a Pina Colada (no alcohol but tastes the same!)

                                                     For a good laugh!

~ Every day, set your mind in the right direction.  Find something to be grateful for.