Today was our much anticipated re-visit to Duke University's Adult Blood and Marrow Transplant Center to gain additional insight into what we thought was going to be Brad's next step to recovery...a bone marrow transplant. Well, that's not what we walked away with.
After spending some time with Dr. Rizzieri and sharing his list of recurring symptoms, Brad was told that the symptoms he's experiencing, do not match the type of cancer he has been diagnosed with. Follicular Lymphoma affects the "B Cells" in one's body however, the symptoms Brad is experiencing are more commonly found in "T Cell" type lymphoma. This has Dr. Rizzieri somewhat stumped and raised some concern that something else could be going on. As a result, he ordered about 12 different blood tests for Brad to test his liver, kidneys, thyroid, allergies and several other things that could be impacting the way Brad is currently feeling. Those results will be back at the end of the week. If everything comes back normal, Dr. Rizzieri suggested that another lymph node be removed and biopsied, because it's possible that his body is developing a secondary cancer. I asked whether it's possible that a B Cell Lymphoma develop into a T Cell Lymphoma and he indicated that could not happen. So that's where the "no news" part of the blog comes in.
The good (in my mind GREAT) news is that Brad will not move forward with the transplant right now. Although his cancer has returned much sooner than anticipated, what we found out today is that the transplant is the last ditch effort to a cure AFTER all other treatment options have been exhausted. We were quite frustrated with this (not only because Duke is a 3 hour drive each way!) but because we have been told Brad is a great candidate due to his health, age, donor match, etc... and was even told again today that he will indeed need the transplant at some point in his future.
Why wait? That was EXACTLY what we were wondering and so frustrated about. If you know that a transplant is coming, can't/shouldn't we do it now? What we didn't know is that the type of transplant Brad would have has about a 20% mortality rate. However, chemotherapy, regardless of the type one is having, has a much lower mortality rate. If chemo keeps a patient in remission for a couple of years at a time, the quality of life is still much higher than that of most transplant patients. Once a transplant takes place and should another relapse occur, there are really no remaining treatment options. So yes, this is the "good news" and it also means we don't need to get rid of our puppy dogs, so Avery is quite thrilled at the moment!
We will return to Dr. Fintel here in Roanoke on February 7th and will hopefully be able to discuss the blood test results and whether we should move forward on chemo, radiation or both to treat the existing cancer.
Bless Brad's little heart...I know he wants answers, we all do. We will get them, but it's just not going to be today. We'll keep everybody posted on our next visit to the Dr. From the bottom of our hearts, thanks for all the prayers and positive thoughts you're sending our way.
Love,
Brad, Sandy & Avery
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