Change of Plans

This is just a brief update to let you all know there won’t be too much to update about for at least a few weeks. At this point, Stanford is still working on my updated pathology. The initial finding is that my lymphoma is indolent, or slow growing, probably not the Diffuse B Cell that was first diagnosed. As long as the full pathology confirms this, it will radically change everything. 

While the doctors don’t want to speculate, they have set me on a course of treatment for what is called Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphoma (SMZL). It’s very rare (less than 2% of non-Hodgkins lymphomas). They won’t say that’s what it is just yet, but they seem to be leaning that direction.  

It’s hard to say whether we’d rather have the DLBC or SMZL if we had to choose one or the other. They are different and neither is good. 

Actually seeing my spleen is an important part of the absolute diagnosis. So, the one thing we know for sure is that I will be having an open splenectomy sometime in July. “Open” refers to the fact that the surgery will require an incision as opposed to being laparoscopic. This is required so that the spleen can be removed intact and then sent in for further pathology.  Splenectomy is usual for SMZL. 

No more chemo for now, at least until after the splenectomy. When I saw my oncologist today, he told me to continue letting my body heal from the chemo I’ve had. He also told me to “camp, hike and ride my bike” and anything else I love to do before I have the splenectomy. Since I won’t be receiving chemo, I should be able to enjoy more physical activity than I have recently. He anticipates, due to all the extraneous factors, that the surgery will not be performed until sometime late July. 

I guess the only other item of note is that one can live without a spleen. However, all of the vaccinations that are usually offered to me as “optional,” (ie: influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia, etc.) are now going to be yearly requirements for me. So, I played pincushion today as I was given five injections. I can’t remember what all they represent, but I know that my bum aches ... LOL. I go back for the second round of these vaccinations in two weeks. Fun!

Splenectomy will be done at Stanford ... Nothing but the best for me!

Comments

  1. Mary ClementJune 24, 2019 at 9:35 PM

    🙏❤🙏❤🙏

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brandon TuckerJune 24, 2019 at 9:50 PM

    Always in our prayers!! I love you!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Uncle JackJune 25, 2019 at 5:29 AM

    You are constantly in my prayers, try to enjoy your activities and remember to eat something good everyday.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJuly 11, 2019 at 7:10 PM

    You are always so gracious and positive, stay that way. You are always in my prayers! 💖

    ReplyDelete

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