A "minor setback"

That's what the doctor called it.

I was supposed to be admitted into the hospital on Tuesday for another round of chemo, but my doc cancelled it and wanted me to come in with my husband for a consultation. This scared me because they told me to bring my hubby. I feared that meant they had bad news. So, we went in this morning and the doc was very positive. He said my tumor has indeed grown a bit, and that means we'll have to go after it with radiation. There was talk of radiation in the beginning of the treatment but it was never certain if I'd need it. He said the cancer cells are "smart," and if they see they're being attacked through the blood (the chemo goes through an IV straight into the blood), the cells can cut themselves off from the blood (the chemo) and feed off of the surrounding tissue. It hasn't broken through the membrane surrounding my brain, so that's good! This also means I have no excuses if I act stupid! Shucks! 

Anyway, so because the tumor has cut itself off from the chemo, they'll have to treat it with radiation, which will be kind of like a "cyber knife." I got a bone marrow biopsy done today (ouch!), and they'll find out the results the beginning of next week as to whether or not the cancer is still in the blood/bone marrow. The doc feels positive it isn't and that's why he cancelled this last round of chemo. IF I do still have cancer in my bone marrow, then I'll need another round of chemo. As for the radiation, I'll start that in the next few days, or next week. They're supposed to call. I'll have to go in everyday for radiation for anywhere between 5 and 20 days. 

Pray the radiation completely wipes out the cancer in just a few days and that my bone marrow is free of cancer. If these things happen, I'll be able to go in for my transplant that much sooner. If things are delayed, then my transplant will take place much later.

So, there ya have it!