As medically defined, I'm still in remission, since relapse is technically 5% blasts or more. This is good going into the next phase of treatment because it means that although I'm relapsing, my immune system responded to the chemotherapy the first time. Many people don't even make it a year before relapsing, and if I was to keep going, it's possible I could make it to nearly 2 years in remission. Regardless, relapse is inevitable at this point, and I want to get on top of it before I become symptomatic.
In July, I'll be starting a round of chemo in Missoula to clear out the leukemia that's currently in my system, and in mid to late August I'll go to Seattle for conditioning chemo and total body radiation in preparation for a stem cell transplant. Once the transplant takes place, I'll have to stay in Seattle for 100 days while engraftment takes place and to manage any graft vs. host disease that might occur and/or infections. That's the biggest bummer of it all- being away from home for so long and missing out on cool stuff with my pack. If all works according to "plan", I should be home a few days before Christmas.
After having a few days to process the results, I feel like I'm starting to accept the fact that my life is going to drastically change over the next few months and after the transplant is over, it's very possible that my life won't quite be the same again. I'm hoping for the best and somewhat preparing, while trying not to think about getting my butt kicked. I'm hopeful that the transplant will work, and I'll be given essentially a 3rd chance at life. The remainder of 2017 is going to be difficult emotionally and physically, but I guess we've been there before and if we can get through it once, I have no reason to believe that we can't a second time.
