What a difference the Huntsman Cancer Institute makes! We received a call at 11:59 am from the oncology doctors. (They were sure to point out it was one minute before they promised.) It is nice to finally be able to piece some of this together.
The official diagnosis is: Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, Intermediate Grade. It is a "fairly fast" growing cancer--they believe it started growing 1 or 2 months ago.
We are busy researching and seeking out second opinions, but the plan for now is:
1. Have a great weekend with our friends & family (including the championship baseball game & Bryan coaching Jordyn's volleyball team)!
2. Bryan will begin Prednisone today which will reduce the swelling in his arm & neck.
3. On Monday Bryan will have a Bone Marrow Biopsy (to determine if the cancer has spread to the bone marrow, which will determine the stage of the cancer) and Echocardiogram (to determine which chemo drug to use/how it will affect the heart).
4. On Tuesday he will begin chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy: This will be performed on an outpatient basis. Chemotherapy is an infusion (IV) which they expect to take 8 hours to complete. He will have the infusion once every 3 weeks for 4-6 cycles (depending on the stage of the cancer).
Outlook: The doctors are optimistic. We don't have accurate survival rates yet because we don't have the staging information. Bryan's tumor is an intermediate, fairly fast growing lymphoma. Low grade lymphoma is resistant to treatment; high grade can kill you suddenly. So, of the lymphoma options, intermediate is the better grade. When we discussed the different cancer diagnoses, Dr. Ward & Dr. Pollack were both hoping the pathology would come back as lymphoma because it is the most curable and no surgical resection is necessary (as opposed to Germ Cell & Thymoma).
More Information: I'm including a link to a website with accurate information about this type of cancer. It also has links to reputable websites for more information. As you read the information, you'll see why it was difficult to detect in Bryan. He does not present many of the symptoms (fever, night sweats, etc) or age categories (people over age 60). Dr. Pollack says that half of the those with this type of lymphoma don't have symptoms and Bryan's health is to his advantage.
http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.asp?file=blod_dis/6595
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2 comments:
Bryan & Jolayna,
Kim forwarded me the email and I got on and was able to read a little bit on your blog about what is going on with you and your family.
I just wanted to drop a short note to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Althought, I was the "quiet" one, I sure enjoyed spending time with your family and having you as such great friends. We only wish we were in Utah to be able to lend our love our support.
Consider this a long distance hug from Arizona. Our prayers for a speedy recovery and resumption of all your regular routine!
Love,
Bryan, Kim and the Baker boys
Good Luck Bryan and Family. Please forward anything you want me to follow up on. You handled the EONE stuff to this point, your tumor has no chance!!Best to all from Ken Wynder.
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