I just got off the phone with the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. I have been pre-approved to enter their stem-cell transplant program starting in two weeks. I will enter the program on May 1st. On that day, they will start the process of harvesting my own stem-stem cells. For the next few weeks my own, defective, bone marrow will be burned out with high dose chemotherapy. Then, my stem-cells will be re-infused. Following this, I will have a few weeks for my immune system to recover. Hopefully, I will be discharged on August 9th. I will either be an in-patient at the University of Washington or having to live nearby for daily appointments during this entire 100-day period.
Stem cell transplant, while having its own dangers (considering my own brother has been seriously ill for the past month, in ICU, as he had a bad out-come from the process), if I follow the statistics, I could have 7 years + of cancer “free” (not cured but controlled) living. During this time, I’m quite confident that a cure for this awful disease will be found.
Thanks for your prayers. I still need my kidneys to recover as well as my neurological problems, associated with my renal failure.
Mike
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