A Small Delay

Andy passed his tests with flying colors; he's the healthiest donor I could ask for!
My bone marrow biopsy and spinal fluid were all clear, which is great.  No leukemia cells.  We hit a slight glitch, however, with the MRI and PET CT.  There is a slightly suspicious spot showing up on my right sphenoid sinus (the farthest back sinus cavity, near the brain).  My transplant doctor, Dr. Hildebrandt, referred me to an ENT at the Univeristy of Utah hospital to check it out.  It is very possible that what is showing up is a result of the chemotherapy and/or radiation (the radiation I've received was localized to that right side of my sinuses and orbit, where the tumor was).  It could also just be residual from sinus disease.  But, going into a bone marrow transplant where they wipe out my immune system, there cannot be anything that is questionable.

I met with the ENT doctor today.  I did a CT Scan as well as the nose camera (probably a more technical term for that, but that gets the point across) to see what's going on.  The CT scan did show a spotty area in that right sphenoid sinus.  The doctor said he's 90% sure it's not leukemic cells, but we have to be sure.  So, he's going to have to biopsy that area.  He also found infection and polyps on my left side which, under normal circumstances, would just be something to watch.  However, since my immune system is going to be shot, an untreated infection could turn into a major problem (especially considering how close it is to the brain).  For these reasons, I am going to require another sinus surgery. It will be an outpatient procedure done next week, July 25.  This does put a slight delay on starting the transplant process.  Rather than being admitted to the hospital at the end of this month, it may be more like the first week of August.  That is assuming, of course, that the biopsy results come back negative (of course they will).

In the meantime, Cory will be headed back to Virginia to carry-out a conference he's been planning for 6 months, I need to get  my dental clearance, and we have a BMT (bone marrow transplant) orientation.  I think we'll throw some fun in there, too.