Stem Cell Transplant Dr. Visit

Hi Friends & Family:

Well, we were with the doctor for 3 hours. I won't rehash the 3 hours worth of things we talked about, but the gist of it is as follows: The chemo and/or stem cell transplant (SCT) will not cure you. They just might give you an extra year or so....if Jim can get that far.

So. We're thinking maybe it's time to try those broccoli enemas. ;) At the very least, we're not so sure we'll even do a stem cell. Jim has to be cancer free for 2 months straight before they do the SCT. The chances of chemo bringing Jim into a full remission and him staying there for 2 months is slim. "When this type of cancer is systemic as yours is, Jim, remission or cure isn't likely." So we asked him. Well, let's just say that Jim does acheive NED (no evidence of disease) and can stay there 2 months, what will the SCT give him. His answer was, "it's extremely likely to come back. Very few get a cure. Sometimes it comes back months later, sometimes a year." Well, given the fact that it could take that long to recover from a stem cell transplant, what is the use?

So, we cried all day and went to bed. And I woke up smiling, excited about another day, as I usually do, and then I remember yesterday, and I'm a bit jittery. Jim's ready to take some of his brother Joe's advice and consider alternative medicine.

So pray for us, my jitters and Jim's everything. And pray for my son John and my daughter Leah. We don't want them to be sad. They are young and excited about things in their early married life, and that's the way we want them to be.

Love us