We have a bit more information about what is going on.
Mike’s siblings did not match so a worldwide search for a donor is on now. We know that they have contacted four people to go for further testing. We have to phone back in about a week and a half to see how that is going.
Mike had his biopsy on Wed. the 22nd; we got preliminary results on Friday. The doctor was mildly optimistic that the tests were indicating remission but the cytogenetic (chromosome) testing takes longer and we won’t have an answer on that test until the 28th or 29th. This last test is what tells the whole picture. We are hopeful but have been warned that full remission may not have happened.
We felt positive and did get more info on the next phase of treatment. If Mike is in remission, he gets six days of outpatient chemo and then trips to the hospital every second day for follow up. If he is not in remission he is admitted to hospital for about a three-week stay of intense chemo and then home for every second day visits to the hospital. His outpatient chemo could start as early as June 3 and hospitalization would happen quicker than that. They don’t like to wait on these things.
The transplant plans are up in the air and dependent, obviously, on finding a donor and on his response to chemo. Every person is different so the plans unfold as you go through treatment. We are satisfied with all for now.
Since Friday he has been enjoying more freedom. His blood counts are at a safe level so he can do anything he wants. We’ve been going to parks and eating out. He still can’t overdo it and has to rest everyday. We have had a nice weekend and still have one more day until he has to go back for a check up at the hospital. Yeah, a break in driving.
So that’s the update. Everything is always subject to change as our experience tells us that just when you think you know what is going on, something changes.