Yesterday was my big day at the big hospital. My stepfather drove me, my mom and husband down to NYC for my appointment.
I have to say that for having a reputation of being a big prestigious hospital, it didn't feel that way one bit to me. And I mean that is a good way. It was very compartmentalized. Once I got off the elevator and onto my doctor's floor, it actually seemed like an average doctor's office. I guess I was picturing herds of people waiting and taking numbers like at a deli counter. But the waiting room was small and everything moved smoothly. I hardly waited at all for the doctor which I wasn't expecting and all of the staff seemed very nice.
Once the doctor came in, everything went smoothly with very little surprises. I had a lot of time to do research and nothing that the doctor said was unexpected. The doctor herself was very young, which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it. She was very easy to talk to and willing to explain things thoroughly, never making you feel rushed.
So here is the plan as of right now. I have to have another biopsy done. The reason for this is they want to be certain that the cancer there now is still Hodgkin's and hasn't become a different type of lymphoma. This will be done locally, hopefully by the same surgeon that did my first biopsy.
Assuming it still is Hodgkin's (and the doctor is pretty sure it is) the next step will be more chemo. ICE is my new chemo acronym. This chemo regimen is really intense and it should only take about a month and a half to complete. The chemo will be done locally as well.
Immediately following the ICE chemo, I will have a stem cell transplant. This may be done locally or at MSKCC (hopefully at MSKCC, if I get my way). The whole point of a stem cell transplant is that it allows the doctor's to give extremely strong chemo that your body would normally not be able to withstand. Basically they will first collect my stem cells and store them. Then I will be hospitalized in a sterilized environment and they will give me a large amount of chemo which will destroy my immune system. After the chemo treatment, they will give me back my stored stem cells and my body will slowly get it's immune system back. It takes about three weeks for the stem cell transplant.
I've got a long difficult road ahead. But I have faith in God and very supportive family and friends to get me through. Thank you all for being there for me, all of the little things you do mean so much to me. Your prayers and encourgement help me keep a positive attitude and help me keep my faith as well.
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