Next month, I'll enter the hospital to undergo a blood cord transplant. I'll be subjected to high doses of radiation and possibly chemotherapy. The intent is to kill off all of the bad cells with the hope that my bone marrow will eventually start to function properly. Right now, the marrow is not producing sufficient red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The procedure is rather risky for my type of disease. Only 50% of those in my class and type of disease survive the 3 weeks in the hospital and the subsequent 100 days in isolation. I'm in rather good health, so my doc feels that I should be able to make it through the hellish ordeal. If I am one of the lucky survivors, I still have a 25 to 50% chance of getting a major medical complication for the rest of my life. I also have a 60% chance of relapsing within 1 or 2 years. These odds are not all that great, but if I don't go ahead with the transplant, I have a 100% chance of kicking the bucket. My doc said that only 10% of patients with my type of disease make it six months. So far, I have made it almost 7 months. I know the end is near unless I go for the transplant.
I'm gettin' ready for one heck of a ride!
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