Finally a Break?

So, after a few phone calls (First the oncologist, then the hospital, then the pathology department at the hospital, then the oncologist again.), I found out that they finally had the results of the biopsy. The receptionist at Dr. Weeks office told me that they couldn't release the results to me until Dr. Weeks "signed off on them." She said she would pass them to him with a note on them classifying them as urgent. She told me should would call me back ASAP. Well, ASAP turned out to be about 90 seconds. Dr. Weeks wanted to see me for a couple minutes as soon as I could get down there. So, I left work and headed to his office. When I got there and he called me into an office, he had a big grin on his face. The biopsy indicated that it likely isn't Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and is instead is probably what is called a "gray zone lymphoma" - kind of a hybrid B-cell lymphoma. I'll spare everyone the techno-babble and say this: Dr. Weeks believes that this should be able to be treated with standard chemotherapy rather than a stem cell transplant. This is great news! If I can get better without a stem cell transplant, that is obviously a great deal. Dr. Weeks wants to discuss with Dr. Effie Petersdorf, the lymphoma specialist at the Seattle Cancer Care Center, this diagnosis, but he is confident that I will be able to avoid a transplant. He will contact me once he discusses with them.

Clearly this news completely changes what to expect this summer, and relieves a lot of stress from me and my family. The road is still a difficult one, but it looks like we will be able to get through this much, much easier.