Stem Cell Transplant or Not?
Just returned from a referral to the National Centre for Stem Cell transplants at Birmingham QE medical uni hopsital. The Doctor had a good chat with me but needs to go back to his wider team and colleagues in London to discuss the best option for me. The situation is quite difficult to know what is best for the following reasons:
In favour of a transplant are the factors: My heart function is good as my symptoms improve on a monthly basis and my tolerance established during the stem cell harvest (no water retention during/after the GCSF treatment). And my overall health (not much breathlessness still actively playing 18 holes of golf etc)
Against the transplant are the factors: three organs involved and especially cardiac involvement (although just within tolerance of a transplant)
Basically a big dilemma - transplants are pretty routine for myloema patients (2% risk fatility factor) whilst for amyloid patients it increases to up to 25%.
So back to Birmingham in two weeks for a final decision and some further tests to see how my lungs, heart and kidneys are holding up.
Interestingly, the December light chain results have reduced by 20 points!
Anyway I’m feeling really good and looking forward to this damn snow to disappear so I can get the clubs out again.
spk soon,
Phil
Filed under: Latest News on January 9th, 2010
Nice one Bro. Good news about the light chains! A tough decision. I was blasting the sand iron in the snow this morning - it looked great! Although we’re forecast another 8 inches tomorrow.
thanks Vin, went down the range myself yesterday and was practicing a draw with my 5 iron
Phil,
Thanks for sharing your news with us - we always have a look to see how you are doing.
Sounds incredibly tough mate.
Keep strong.
PS - You have reminded me that I really do need to pick up my sticks again and start batting some balls around the greens!!
All the best.
Catch up soon.