Moving to Onclolgy Floor to Start Treatment

Mom's oncology doc came by last night with some news. He talked with a research doc at UW he knows who had just returned from meetings at the National Cancer Institute where he heard about some promising results from treatment of T-cell lymphomas using a different protocol.

The acronym for the regime Mom was going to be on is CHOP. Instead, she will be on EPOCH plus the antibody Retuxin. EPOCH stands for the chemotherapy drugs used. Retuxin is something they have had some success with as it attacks the B-cells which seem to gather around and promote the T-cells.

Sarah just reported that Mom will go down to have a port for the IV installed at about 11 this morning. Then she will move to the 12th floor East which is the oncology floor at Swedish Hospital. She will start Retuxin via IV this afternoon some time.

The EPOCH treatment is via IV and is approximately 4 days inpatient and could start tomorrow (Friday). We don't expect her to be discharged to return to Horizon House until maybe Tuesday of next week.

Mom has appreciated all the wonderful cards and emails that have arrived from so many. She is eager to get started fighting the cancer. We all welcome your prayers and good wishes.

Daughter Jan