Monday we
went to our oncologist Dr. Chen. It was not good news. He said that
the type of lymphoma that Harriet has is resistant to chemotherapy. The lymphoma has reduced in size, but
is still there and will come back.
Of course I asked what is the next step or procedure. He explained it's an aggressive stem cell chemotherapy. He elaborated and said that you take the patient's blood and through a process, run it through a centrifuge and extract the stem cells which are treated with the more powerful chemotherapy and then given back to the patient. But, for this to happen the patient receives a 14 consecutive day’s treatment of the shots called Neupogen. These are the ones that help to stimulate the growth of white blood cells. But these particular Neupogen shots are much more powerful than the ones that Harriet is received in the past.
If you've been keeping up with the blog through the past months you know that these Neupogen shots have just about killed Harriet. She could not handle even getting the shots at the previous strength level, let alone getting some super strength Neupogen shots. So this will not be an option.
We've not given up, and life will go on until we can go no further. I appreciate it if you would honor our decision in how we will proceed and not trying to tell us, "You really need to try this or do this......." I know that everybody is well-meaning, but until you have gone through this situation with all the ramifications you really don't have an idea of what this all entails.
Of course I asked what is the next step or procedure. He explained it's an aggressive stem cell chemotherapy. He elaborated and said that you take the patient's blood and through a process, run it through a centrifuge and extract the stem cells which are treated with the more powerful chemotherapy and then given back to the patient. But, for this to happen the patient receives a 14 consecutive day’s treatment of the shots called Neupogen. These are the ones that help to stimulate the growth of white blood cells. But these particular Neupogen shots are much more powerful than the ones that Harriet is received in the past.
If you've been keeping up with the blog through the past months you know that these Neupogen shots have just about killed Harriet. She could not handle even getting the shots at the previous strength level, let alone getting some super strength Neupogen shots. So this will not be an option.
We've not given up, and life will go on until we can go no further. I appreciate it if you would honor our decision in how we will proceed and not trying to tell us, "You really need to try this or do this......." I know that everybody is well-meaning, but until you have gone through this situation with all the ramifications you really don't have an idea of what this all entails.
We appreciate
your continued prayerful support and loving understanding.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Maranatha,
Frank and Harriet
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