Transplant #2

Well it looks like my vacation is about to come to an end. I have my schedule for Transplant #2 (T2) and it looks something like this:

March 16-19 Baseline Testing
This is a series of tests that are done prior to each round of chemo and serves two purposes. The first is to assess my general health (heart, lungs, kidney, etc.) and determine if I am ready for T2. The second purpose of the tests is to evaluate my Myeloma markers which will tell us how effective the treatments to date have been in putting my cancer into remission. Lynn and I have a vested interest in the answer to this question and will be looking forward to our next appointment with Dr. Zangari.

March 20
Appointment with Dr. Zangari to go over the test results and get his official OK to proceed with T2.

I will also get a new catheter installed to support infusions, blood draws, etc...

March 23-26
Series of chemical infusions.

March 27
Stem Cell Transplant #2

March 28-?
Approximately 8 week recovery period after which life can get back to normal.

This would complete my treatment protocol and if all goes well, and there is no reason to believe it won’t, I will be in complete remission and this beast won’t show its’ ugly face again for another 10 to 20 years.

As to my current condition, I have recovered well from the first transplant in January and except for a few minor symptoms that continue to linger on I am feeling fine. In fact, a few weeks ago I was cleared by my Dr. to go back to work part-time until the next transplant if I desired with a promise that I would use good sense and not overdue. As it turned out work did have a short term project that I could work on and I have been going in for half days. I don’t know how much good it has been to the Company but it has done a world of good for me and my mental health. It was good to have something to do each day and to see my friends at work that I have really missed over the last few months. This along with being able to go to dinner with friends & family, attending church, the visit from Jennifer and Kelly, and the Wednesday lunches with my friends that go back to my youth have all helped me maintain a positive attitude and get ready for this last round of treatment. Thanks to you all.

Steve