Thursday… t+35
Sep 21st 2006PeterLife on hold!
Yes, 35 weeks since the transplant, but not quite such good news as before.
I saw Linny this morning, and she confirmed what she had told me yesterday on the phone, that the biopsy of the lump showed that the lymphoma was making a comeback. During the physical examination she also thought she could feel a couple more enlarged nodes slightly further down in the same group. So the PET scan tomorrow will show exactly how far it has become active again.
So, what are the courses of action? As I thought, the main one will be DLI (Donor Lymphocyte Infusion) which will kick off the GvHd again, possibly more virulently than last time. This is not without its own dangers, but there really isn’t much alternative. If the PET scan shows that the disease is wider spread than just the one lymph node group, then I may have a bit of chemo to de-bulk the disease. On the other hand, if it is localised in my neck, then local radiotherapy may be indicated.
However we are going ahead ith the donor lymphocytes, and I am getting them tomorrow morning before the check up at the ENT clinic and the PET scan in the afternoon. The effects take about 6 weeks to kick in (hence the possibility of chemo or other treatment in the meantime.)
However, the good news is that it doesn’t stop us from having a few days holiday next week, and probably won’t stop me going to Cyprus, providing I pass the dive medical on October 2nd. As the lung function test showed a further improvement from last time, I am reasonably optimistic!
I have to confess I did feel a bit down about all this. I had a chat with Viki (haematology nursing specialist, whose praises I have sung on posts in the past) and I felt a bit better 
after that. I think it’s just that as things were beginning to get back together, the thought of having to fight it again is a bit daunting. Still, it won’t find me an easy target!
On the home front, the conservatory furniture FINALLY arrived! Well, all but some cushions for one sofa, and the coffee table, which are arriving in a couple of weeks.
I must say that it has been worth the wait, and we are very pleased with it!
So, Onwards, and upwards again, although we are a bit further down the slope than we were a couple of weeks ago!