Hey everyone, I’m getting myself in front of my computer to quickly update you all on the events of today. Flight up was fine, wait at the hospital was predictable, spent about 20 minutes with my Transplant Doc and am now hoping to get on a flight home tonight, as opposed to Sunday.
The Doc’s Meeting.
No big surprises for me at this chat, all the info is pretty much as I expected. The chances of a cure are reduced, the chances of serious complications are increased, the chances of me relapsing again are increased. These things I had a good grasp of prior to coming up, the actual numbers that my Doc gave me were new to me and I’ll share those soon. The major surprise of the day was that he is no longer thinking about late September early October for a Transplant date, he’s thinking about mid-November which would involve me having another round of chemo at home.
This is where I need some time to think and come to a decision. At this point my Doc can’t tell me either way if having more chemo and waiting to Transplant will influence my chances of a long term cure – which is considered to be 5 years. But the original plan was to Transplant without that extra round, and the reason for the set-back is that they are full. Due to a nursing shortage over the summer they are behind on their Transplants, so getting me in near the initial time is not an option.
So right now that is the main decision I have in my head, the fact is that in my current state I will not attain a cured state without a Transplant. Because I have relapsed a Transplant is the traditional protocol to help me reach the 5 year mark, that part I have no trouble with, it’s the timing thing that is running around my head.
Do I have more chemo at home and wait to Transplant in November, or do I look for other hospitals and places where I can have a Transplant sooner, which would be more in-line with the original plan?
This is where my mind is right now.
The other development of the day, is due to this news my Dad and I are hoping to leave for home tonight. The combination of a flu that is brewing inside me, and my new decision is making me really want to spend my next many days in the comforts of home, as opposed to here in Toronto. So with a little luck, and a nice ticket agent I’ll manage to get home tonight or tomorrow sometime.
Either way you’ll hear from me again soon.
Always…
Live Life. Love Life.
Geoff
