On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 10:18 PM, Brad Reimer <mindnbrad@gmail.com> wrote:
All,
Wanted to take some time to update you on my status and treatment, etc.
The following is from Mindy:
We learned more today about Brad’s lymphoma. Again, Dr. Danko is amazing. He takes time to explain, and draw pictures, and explain again so that we understand all that is going on with Brad. The labs/pathology reports from Brad’s tumors taken during surgery continue to give us information.
With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) there are at least three tumor types. One is Germinal Center B cell-like (GCB), another is Activiated B cell-like (ABC), and the third is a group that does not have the same genes as the other two. From what I understand, the differentiation is how the cells mature. Brad has the GCB type. The survival rate of patients with DLBCL whose malignant cells are thought to arise from GCB is significantly better than that of patients whose cells arise from ABC. More great news that we are thankful for!
Brad’s labs show that some of the tumor has a component of Follicular Lymphoma. (I asked Dr. Danko about the different types of cancer and he said that is not a concern right now.) Dr. Danko is asking a lab to be done on the IGH gene rearrangement of both the DLBCL and the Follicular cells. Treatment and prognosis depend upon if the DLBCL cells originated on their own, or came from the Follicular cells. So, we are waiting on more tests there.
Also, Brad’s tumor cells were tested for Ki-67 (“an antibody marker to a tumor antigen that can be found in cancer cells”). When a tumor is tested for Ki-67, the pathology report will show a Ki-67 score. High scores (scores greater than 20%) mean that the cancer cells are growing and dividing at a rapid pace. Brad’s score is 80-90%...incredibly rapid. It has been 4 weeks since surgery, and during that time the lymphoma cells have been growing and dividing at a rapid pace. Dr. Danko ordered a CT scan so that we would have a baseline to look to with chemotherapy starting. Also scheduled was an echocardiogram due to the fact that some of the chemotherapy Dr. Danko is looking at using has a 0.5-1.0% chance of causing heart problems. Chemotherapy will go ahead as planned this Friday.
The rest of this is from me:
I am grateful for Mindy. I have already expressed that one of the miracles and wonderful blessings I have found in this experience is a deeper and greater appreciation for my wife. As we sat in the waiting room at CCNW today, there were a couple of people by themselves. Who knows their unique, individual circumstances, but it made me consider what it would be like to be going through all of this alone. For me, I cannot fathom it. Mindy has been my rock, my scientist and researcher, my note-taker, my reminder, my support, my chauffeur, my listening ear, my perpetual go-for, and so much more. Words cannot express how thankful I am to be by her side on this journey.
As you may recall, the evening/night before I received my bone marrow biopsy and got the chemo port put in my chest, I was feeling so good and strong. I felt like I had turned a corner in terms of recovery from surgery, and was hopeful that that progress would continue. Those two procedures in one day took it out of me for a few days, but our understanding was that once I got over that, I would maintain the progress previously experienced. Well, that hasn't necessarily happened.
This past Friday evening (the 8th) was the last time I needed to take Oxycontin or Hydrocodone. I have not had significant pain ever since...which I am very grateful for. I was dealing with some unpleasant side effects of those meds which we were looking forward to not dealing with anymore - and that has been good.
The struggle in the past week, for the most part, has been abdominal discomfort. Probably 20 out of 24 hours in a day, I feel a "pit" in my stomach. It isn't pain necessarily, but just a constant discomfort. There are times it increases (it woke me up very early this morning...I got a little more sleep but when I woke up for the day, it was pretty bad for quite a while), and there are times it subsides (yesterday afternoon/evening wasn't bad). When that discomfort increases, I do not feel like eating, drinking, walking, talking...nothing. But when it decreased like it did yesterday, Mindy was out running errands and I had her bring home a 6" Subway Club! It was tasty! :) And when it decreases I feel like I can be "normal" around the house....interacting with the kids, doing dishes, not having to lay down, etc. It is great. But after some time, the discomfort returns.
So, we were told a couple other things at our appt with Dr. Danko today...his nurse said that the chemo port is typically sore/tender for up to a couple of weeks. We hadn't realized that, but this has been the case for me...it's always good to hear you're "normal." (No jokes here, please..) Also, Dr. Danko indicated that a likely cause of the abdominal discomfort may be those rapidly-dividing cells in my abdomen. This is one reason he is anxious to get the chemo going. I have been somewhat worried and anxious...they say a side effect of chemo is nausea, and my stomach is already not feeling well. But he said that I may very well have a net effect of feeling MUCH improved within about 10 days after my first chemo treatment as the chemo starts killing those rapidly-dividing cells. Let's hope for that!
Another thing we've been busy doing...risk of infection greatly increases after chemo due to the effect on the immune system, and the body doesn't heal as it normally does. So in our Chemo Class they suggested we get any dental work done prior to starting chemotherapy. So, Tuesday morning (7am) I got a cleaning, and this morning (7am) I got work done for a crown to be put on. There is further work to be done, but Dr. Danko didn't seem worried about it today. We'll know more on that later.
I've expressed how much I love and appreciate Mindy. I am also so grateful for my children. I love them so much, and am so thankful to live with and grow with these 5 amazing people. The times we have taken to sit down and have discussions with them about all of this (multiple occasions) have been sacred to me (despite their occasional goofiness, which I think is part of how they handle their emotions surrounding all of this). It is amazing to watch them take in information, ask questions, etc. I am quite certain they are experiencing anxiety and fear (just like we all do at times). I am also so grateful for the wonderful gospel principles we have taught them since day one, that they have the opportunity to apply at these times. What a blessing. What a blessing to understand the Plan of Salvation.
What a blessing to know what faith is. This past Sunday Mindy, Lena, and Brendan had colds and stayed home from church. Before church started, Lena asked Mindy if she could call her Primary teacher to find out what lesson they were on that day, so she could study it at home (Wow). Sister Driskill is wonderful, and told Lena which lesson. Lena got the manual out, got some paper and other supplies, and went through the lesson. But the most amazing part was on Monday evening, when she talked to us about the lesson...what faith is...hope for things which are not seen. We can't see and don't know that Dad will get better, but we can hope for these things, and this can bring us strength and comfort. I love my kids.
We love and appreciate each of you. We tell you over and over...we feel strength because of your thoughts and your prayers. It is a huge boon to us.
Brad and Mindy
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