Treatment and the Unknown

My doctor called and we are cleared to start treatment tomorrow (Friday). She was able to talk to the pathologist who did my biopsy and they confirmed that the markers are pointing to PMBCL. Now that we have a definitive diagnosis, I will report to Dana-Farber tomorrow for an in-take appointment, and then will head to Brigham and Women's where I will await a bed and then begin my first 5-6 day treatment.

There was one other piece of information that has me a bit nervous. Apparently there are other markers (proteins or genetic material or something) that are not typically present for PMBCLs, but are present with mine. The doctor said they're not really sure what to make of it. It may or may not be any cause for concern - which of course, has me concerned. She's going to talk in more detail tomorrow about the strange markers and how that affects prognosis, etc. Nonetheless, she said this doesn't change the diagnosis - it is a PMBCL. It also doesn't change the staging. As long as the solid bone marrow biopsy comes back clean, which she expects it will, this is still considered a stage I-A PMBCL. That's the best staging we could hope for.

For now, please pray for us. As the rubber meets the road, we are nervous about starting treatment and scared about what the future holds. These unusual markers only compound that. The unknown sparks a lot of fear. As a friend's pastor prayed for me yesterday, my prayer is still that God would speak death to this tumor and life to the rest of my body and that this tumor would respond stunningly quickly to treatment and be eradicated easily.

Here's how to pray for us. Pray:

• Against fear as we begin treatment

• Against fear regarding these unusual markers.

• That, if anything, these unusual markers would lead to a more favorable outcome; otherwise, that they would be meaningless and not affect the tumor's response to treatment.

• That the tumor would be eradicated quickly

• That the final bone marrow biopsy confirms no cancer in the bones

• That my body would be amenable to treatment and that there are no complications

• That Kristen and the kids would receive and abundance of grace as I undergo treatment

• That my mom and brother would have safe travels as they drive up from Virginia today/tomorrow.

Thank you for walking with us and we venture into the unknown.