Bone Marrow Transplant?

We met with Dr. Gina Laport today to learn about whether a bone marrow transplant would help Graham. Dr. Laport recommended a new technique, called a double transplant. First Graham would be totally irradiated (or given massive chemo, not sure which) and then have his own bone marrow put back. After a month or so, he would be irradiated again, and then a donor's bone marrow would be transplanted. Graham's brother, Gary, is being tested to see if he is a match, in the event that a BMT is possible. We'll find out in two weeks if he's a match.

We're confused about whether a BMT is possible without the cancer being basically under control. Dr. Advani says that a BMT is not designed to stop a cancer, just to keep it away for a long time, potentially forever. She says that it will not be successful and shouldn't be done unless the cancer is under control. This was very depressing, since Graham's cancer seems uncontrollable.

Dr. Laport (or was it her Fellow, a newish doctor?) says that a transplant can be done even if the cancer isn't under control.

So we're confused.

Tumors Grow Back...Let's Try RICE!

Dr. Ranjana Advani, Graham, and nurse practitioner Nicole Barr

We're starting to feel bad for Graham's wonderful doctor, Dr. Advani, because she is faced with giving us bad news every time we see her! But she's quite skilled at it. She'll say basically "This isn't working, but we have this other great treatment that will hopefully work." She doesn't dwell on the negatives, just focuses us on the new treatment and the hope it carries with it.

After just one week on R-ESHAP, it's obvious it's not working. So Dr. Advani recommends that Graham switch to a treatment called R-ICE: Rituxan plus a different chemo combo. It will be given every two weeks for 3 days in the hospital. Graham will start tomorrow.

Graham Gets a PICC Line!

It takes a long time getting chemo through an IV line in one's arm, because the vein there is pretty small. It's also painful getting constantly poked. So, it's helpful to get a PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line, an always available portal, that is connected to a very large vein near the heart. It's threaded from near the bicep to the heart.

Graham got a picc line today. It took about an hour. The portal is near his bicep in his left arm. He has to keep it clean and dry, so he'll have to wear a plastic bag over that part of his arm whenever he showers.

It will be so much easier for Graham to give blood for the bi-weekly blood tests, and easier/faster to receive the chemo. They just pop a needle into the portal of the picc, and voila, they're ready to start!