The Bone Marrow Biopsy

Yesterday, Dr. Lindgren tried to get a sample of my bone marrow. When he had trouble getting the needle to pierce the bone, he concluded that he needed to have me come back and do that under anesthesia. Before that can happen, he needed more blood, a chest x-ray, and an EKG. When he ran the EKG, it printed across the top: sinus rhythm - QRS(T) contour abnormality - consider inferior myocardial damage. I'm not sure exactly what that means, but I am now scheduled for a treadmill "stress test" next Tuesday. I may then need to see a cardiologist before I can get the bone marrow biopsy. I still have the PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan and several other scans on Monday. Dr. Lindgren is trying to get me on the schedule for his Thursday meeting with other oncologists to present them with as much of my case as possible to get their input.

The Oncologist

Today we met our oncologist, Dr. Tiberio Lindgren. He is very energetic and knowledgable. He is also passionate about his pursuit of the best treatment for lymphoma - including mantle cell. After spending more than an hour going over lymphoma in general and mantle cell in specific, he then went over what we knew about my case. Our first course of action is to determine what stage I am in. Several expensive blood tests were ordered (my only cost was the loss of blood) and a bone marrow biopsy which will be done next week (3/26). I am sure greatful for medical insurance! Although we were a little disappointed in not finding out more about our course of action, we were very encouraged by meeting and getting to know Dr. Lindgren.

The "News"

Last Tuesday (3/10/2009), we got the news that a biopsy done on 3/5 did show cancer. To be specific it showed "mantle cell lymphoma." The doctor who did the biopsy did not even know the significance of the term. It turns out to be a fairly rare form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Non-Hodgkins lymphoma is very treatable. However, because of the rare form, we are not sure what it means. We are in good spirits, knowing God is on the throne. Tomorrow, we see the oncologist for the first time and get his opinion. His name is Dr. Tiberio Lindgren and I've already heard good things about him.