The Final Straw...

Alright folks, get comfy because you're in for a long one. ;)

Ken just recently completed 3 cycles of chemo (2 treatments a week for 2 weeks and then a week off). These cycles were done locally which was great for Ken because he was able to work and for those of you who know Ken (probably all of you if you're here), he LOVES to work! He's been awfully busy as athletic director doing things I had no idea were a i the job description - painting murals on the walls (who knew he was so artistic?), washing towels, etc.

The purpose of this particular regimen of chemotherapy was two fold:
1. Get rid of his cancer (Duh?)... not successful
2. Buy time to find a donor... SUCCESS!

Let's start with the good!! A perfect match was found and is willing to go forward with the collection process. For those of you wanting to get added to the bone marrow registry, click here.

Despite the fact the chemotherapy was not 100% successful, it did clear up most areas of his cancer. However, "most" isn't good enough for a bone marrow transplant. Ever since Ken began this fight, there has been two different war fronts - the internal cancer and the external skin lesions. Whenever there seems to be progress with one, he loses ground on the other. Damn cancer is stubborn! At this point, there are two
internal areas and one nasty external area which will now be treated with radiation therapy. (Think tanning bed without the tanning.)

OK, go back two weeks with me now - Ken had PET and CT scans done and then met with his doctor for the game plan. They've been telling us all along that the chemotherapy Ken needs to have right before the transplant would be way tougher than anything he's had so far. This seems so incomprehensible to me considering how tough the chemo was that he had this spring in the hospital. That being said, the doctor feels like Ken would not be able to tolerate this chemotherapy so we're changing gears a bit to what's called a "mini transplant". The transplant itself is the same, the difference is, there is no chemotherapy prior to the transplant so it's imperative that his cancer is in remission or nearly gone.

As it stands right now, Ken has too much cancer to be considered for this procedure. So, plan Z is the radiation therapy I mentioned earlier to get rid of those remaining spots and then 4 days of chemo in the hospital at UW. Of course, once that is done, he will be rescanned and hopefully will go to the mini transplant.

Folks, it's time to rally! The blog has a new red theme; the color assigned to lymphoma cancers. Show your support by purchasing one of our new Humbabe Tee Shirts! The cost (including domestic shipping) is $20 and will be ready to ship next week! For more information, email me here.