Post hospital visit - happy day...

Fantastic day in Denver. We went to Denver today to see both the Thoracic Dr. Weyant and the Oncology Dr. Myint. They both had great news. We started out with Ken getting blood tests and then an X-ray. The blood tests show that Ken's white blood counts are dangerously low, so he will not be able to work on Friday. He needs to stay home and be protected. However, the rest of his blood tests look great, so he doesn't have to have a transfusion this week and he doesn't have to come back for blood tests till next round of chemo. We saw Dr. Weyant first. His assistant took out all of Ken's stitches and said his wounds look great. Then he showed us the x-ray and was very pleased. Ken has a small amount of fluid on his left lung, but it is going down and the doc doesn't think we will have to do anything about it. If after chemo, Ken still has fluid, he will drain it, but until then he said it isn't worth the infection scare. And it is such a small amount, it isn't bothering Ken. Dr. Weyant said that he doesn't need to see him anymore. We can't believe that after all the thorosenticic in Fort Collins, we are finished with that chapter. We are so excited. Ken's right lung looked great. His scar is looking good too.
Then we saw Dr. Myint and his assistant. Dr. Myint said that Ken is doing great. He now has Diffuse Large B cell lymphoma. He studied the biopsy that was done on March 5th in Fort Collins. He explained that at that time, Ken did have follicular lymphoma as was diagnosed, but he had level 3 follicular and he should have been treated with RCHOP chemp right away. Only a level 1 follicular should be treated with Rituzan alone. The level three means that Ken had "bad boy cells" that escaped in the month that he was getting Rituxan. When they escaped, his lymphoma changed to the diffuse. Luckily we started the Rchop in time. The doc said that Ken's cancer is still a stage 3. His bone marrow biopsy came back negative. Had it been positive, he would have been stage 4 and he would have needed a bone marrow transplant. There is still the possibility that he will need one if the Rchop doesn't completely do it's job. The doc said there is a 65% chance that he will not need a transplant. Let's pray that Ken is cured with the Rchop. The doc is confident that Ken will be cured. He said that as long as Ken continues to do well, he only needs to come back on day 1 for Chemo, on day 2 for a shot and again on day 10 for blood tests and a visit with Dr. Myint. We are so excited. It is like Ken has been freed. No more constantly going to doctors. We still have to take his temp twice a day to check for fever, and we have to flush his pic lines and give him a shot. He has lots of drugs to take, but as long as he doesn't catch an infection or virus, he is free of all the visits to Denver. Praise God and ask for protection thru the next 5 months. Those months will fly by and we are so looking forward to kicking this cancer. Ken's weight is still low. He has lost 22 lbs. But he feels good. He is looking forward to working every day next week. And he is looking forward to eating mango chicken at South China restaurant next week. Funny what cravings he gets when he is on a special diet. He is only restricted thru this weekend.
So here is the best news we got today. The doc gave Ken permission to go to Colorado Springs for Mother's Day weekend. Our precious little granddaughter, Norah is getting Christened in a church in Manitou Springs on Mother's day. We were so afraid that Ken wouldn't be able to go. He will be starting his dangerous week, but if he wears his mask, is careful who he is around and watches what he eats, he will be able to go. Best news. We really can't wait to hold her.