Jim's Health

This is an update on how Jim is doing since his May 2008 Bone Marrow Transplant. We went for his year checkup and the pet scan detected that his lymphoma is back.

So to recap;

First diagnosis of Stage 4, Non Hodgkin's, Low Grade Lymphoma - April 2005
Spleen rupture and removal - May 2005
10 Chemo Therapy treatments - May - November 2005
Jim's own bone marrow Harvest - Jan, 2006
Recurrence - February 2008
4 Chemo Treatments - February - April, 2008
Bone Marrow Transplant [Jim's own marrow) - May- June 2008
Recurrence - October, 2009
Chemo - December, 2009- ?
Donor Bone Marrow Transplant - ?

Jim feels Healthy. The recurrence is small which means it should respond to treatment. It is strange because he doesn't feel sick. Now he will with treatment though. We knew the cancer would come back , because this is what this kind of lymphoma does, but we hoped we could get a few years out of this last transplant, because the donor transplant is much more complicated and risky. Also, because this is our last option. It also can deeply affect his quality of living. So, we need a lot of prayers sent in his behalf.

So, Like the Tim McGraw song says, once again, we decided that we had better start living like we were dying. So, we got family pictures {last ones we got when he was originally diagnosed, lovingly referred to as his "Cancer Pictures", and went on a cruise. The cruise was not planned for, we booked it and left 3 weeks later. What an amazing time. Jim para sailed and the family zip lined through the Mexican rain forest. Those are memories that can't be taken away.

So now, we muddle through the process, trying not to think about what lies ahead. Christmas is upon us and it is a great diversion. We are basking in the joy of the season and enjoying our great traditions and the warmth of family.

PS. I will post our family pictures and cruise pictures soon.