Bone Marrow Biopsy and Meet Dr. Fintel...

So this afternoon was Brad's bone marrow biopsy - I'll let him soon explain what that was like, but the picture above is Brad with Dr. Fintel AFTER the biopsy - I guess the fact that he's smiling is a good sign.

Brad was prepared for severe back trauma today and luckily, it wasn't as bad for him as he expected! I went with him into the office where the procedure was performed so that I could pull out the handy, dandy question journal and proceed to drill Dr. Fintel with the randomness that pops into our heads at all hours of the day. I mean really, if he is going to spend his time drilling into Brad, why can't I spend my time drilling him? We will find out the results of the biopsy on Friday, January 22nd.

We found out this morning that Brad's consultation appointment (and additional testing/procedures) will take place on Monday, February 1st at Duke University's Adult Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Center. It is a 4-5 hour appointment, with a two hour drive each way. The best news is that Brad's insurance company has approved Brad to be treated at Duke if necessary. According to Dr. Fintel, the transplant procedure can be controversial as to when it is performed. There are many physicians that like to see it done after all other methods of treatment have been exhausted. In Brad's case, Dr. Fintel estimates that there's about a 90% chance that they will find the lymphoma in his bone marrow and that whether it be in the near future or put off (like some Docs prefer) at some point in Brad's life, he will without question need a bone marrow transplant.

Armed with the knowledge that this cancer is one which easily relapses and cannot be cured without the transplant, Brad wants to immediately pull out the "big guns" and go right for the transplant despite the horrible case studies he has been reading about other patients. In his mind, he can avoid the worry that comes along with wondering every couple of years when (not "if") the lymphoma will return.

I'm going to turn the keyboard over to Brad (yes, the funny one!) to let him give his version of what happened today...

Sorry if my typing or words aren't the best, but either I am standing or sitting on a pillow. Dr. Fintel WAS a great doctor until he decided to run a cork screw which felt like a rusty deck screw into my right hip. Where do I start? Well I received a warm welcome into the lab by drawing blood. After that wonderful welcome they moved me to a small room with a 4 foot bed. I am not sure if you noticed, but I am 6-4.

I layed there while Dr. Fintel lathered my back side up with what looked to me like honey mustard. The whole time while Dr. Fintel was numbing my toosh Sandy just kept asking questions and he just kept answering them while he worked. All I can say is I am very happy he can multi task because if he couldn't it would have gotten really bad, quickly. The next thing I know was that it felt like Dr. Fintel was turning something into my hip. It felt as if he was making homemade ice cream back there.

I felt absolutely no pain until he hit the bone and even then it wasn't bad. After he was done I asked the nurse (who says I have beautiful eyes - I need to get her name) whether he was done. She said he was done with the first sample and he only needed one more. It wasn't pleasurable but it really didn't bother me. I would do it everyday if I knew that would cure this disease that BOB forgot to take with him.

Thanks for staying caught up with us and for all the wonderful thoughts you're sending our way.

Much love,

Brad and Sandy