What’s scary about the eventual bone marrow
transplant, and yes it is essentially a foregone conclusion, according to the
doctor we spoke with this morning, is that the previous chemo induction
treatments were just a taste of what the pre-BMT treatment will offer.
A fascinating aspect about all of this, to me,
was how the body views/ treats the cancer. It’s not a case of her body fighting
the blasts (cancer cells), as it would fight an infection, and then loosing.
It’s more a matter of her body not recognizing the blasts as foreign or bad
cells, and therefore, not fighting them at all. They multiply faster than the
good cells, essentially crowding them out. So for the BMT to work, the cell
memory (for lack of a better word) in her DNA or chromosomes or whatever, has
to be completely annihilated. Once there’s a blank slate, the new/ previously
used bone marrow is inserted into her blood. Hopefully at that point her body
adopts and accepts it as her own, giving her a new immune system.
Thus far the chemo treatments have killed
millions and millions of her body’s good and bad cells, but to reach the blank
slate, some ridicules number I can’t wrap my head around (and therefore don’t
remember), like 100Million to the 10th degree have to be killed. The
utter discomfort and pain the chemo already caused her will be considerably
amplified as a result.
Sorry if that seemed pessimistic, I just thought
I’d balance the largely chipper tone from my earlier post with some of the less
accommodating aspects ahead, and that’s what came out.
-Z
Awwww Zach...:( It must tear you apart to have to see Amanda go through so much. She is so strong. And what she needs most is for the rest of us to be strong and forge ahead as much as she is. She can't pull all of us with her. We need to stay one step ahead so we are there if she falters a little. Every time I visit her, I am floored at how tough she is, and how she's so busy managing everything from her hospital bed. She has so many things on her mind, the household, the girls and school, your work, her parents, the benefit, her friends. Her mind is whirling and she's busy managing it all. What an amazing woman. :D
ReplyDeleteYou are adored by all whose lives are touched by you.
ReplyDeleteWhatever one calls it, a miracle or magick, positive things happen every day.
ReplyDeleteNot one of us wants these yucky life-challenges. We pray with you all the time to stay strong, to stay positive, to stay hopeful and stay loving in spite of the fears. And when that is hard, remember so many of us are here to listen, to help, and to love you.
Auntie Bellezza
It kills me so much to see your amazing and sweet family to go through such a painful and difficult time! We think about you guys and pray for you everyday! I know that doesn't mean much but we absolutely love you guys! Hope to make it to see Amanda soon, worried about tiring her out. And it would be awesome to take the girls for a day, Emma would absolutely love it! Love you guys!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Tiffany, Tristan and Emma