AML: Relapse

Well, odds were that this was going to happen. My AML has relapsed. I was feeling so good and I hoped that the chemo was going to be enough. Turns out it was only halftime... Going to need to make some adjustments to the game plan.

So, next week I am off to Mayo Clinic in Rochester to get tests as an outpatient. I have to be there Tuesday morning and they have not told me when I get to leave for sure. They said they don't keep people there on weekends so I am planning on Tuesday-Friday.

I don't have a whole lot of info right now. But I think one of the main things they are going to look at is if they are going to have me get stem cells from a donor, or if they actually will use my own stem cells. Recovery is actually faster if they are my cells.

I guess I'll note that today is the first day I really don't feel myself. I don't feel bad, but over the last year I have become quite attuned to my body. I can tell I am a little run down, but more significatly, my lymph nodes are quite swolen. Hard as a rock even. But the doctors haven't really communciated any urgency here. The Mayo referral isn't happening until the January 10th. So basically 2 weeks after my bone marrow biopsy & last blood work.

For those of you that have started the praying, it seems that one of mine has already been answered.

Since learning that much of this will happen in Rochester, I had been stressing about the added costs of things not directly related to my health insurance. In fact, I was just talking to a coworker (Nancy) today about these expences and the cost of lodging for Andy(& kids?) when they visit. With my other treatments occuring in Sioux Falls, we did not have to worry about travel or lodging costs for myself or my family.

So... Today I get home and have a message from Vickie (my new case manager from my health insurace)... Now, I need to say again that I have had a lot of great care from doctors and nurses through this whole ordeal... but this ten minute conversation with my insurace case manager (of all people) has provided me with so much needed information, comfort and assurance about my upcoming treamtent that I feel a huge weight has been lifted. As icing on the cake, she tells me of this "hidden" $8000 benfit that will cover food, gas and lodging for myself and a caregiver during this process.

Seems like a small prayer to have answered... but it's the one I needed now. So my friends.. keep those prayers coming. I feel every one of them.