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
