Monday, August 08, 2005
First Meeting with Dr. Foss
I met with Dr. Foss today at Yale Medical Center. We're staying with McDad in NYC and traveled to New Haven this morning. Our trip went like this: bus, tram (crosses East River), walk to subway, rode subway, eat breakfast at Grand Central Station, Metro-North train to New Haven, cab to Yale. After the visit with Dr. Foss, we had lunch in New Haven, bought ASM a Yale T-Shirt, and reversed the trip legs back to Mac Shack-North.
I know, I'm rambling. What did Dr. Foss say? Glad you asked.
She was very upbeat about my prognosis. With the right treatment, I could go into remission. Treatment options include PUVA, Targretin (topically or orally), Nitrogen Mustard (topically) (and here) and Photopheresis.
She's leaning against PUVA because of the undesirable side affects with being exposed to UV radiation. Targretin a new topical skin gel, contains a vitamin A-like compound. Nitrogen Mustard is a topical (mild) chemotherapy that has been around since the 1960's. Photopheresis treats the blood and, in essence, supercharges my immune system to fight the lymphoma. Cool.
Dr. Foss would lean us to photopheresis at a minimum because there are no side effects and it doesn't introduce harsh chemicals/drugs to my body. We can also use photopheresis in combination with tergretin or nitrogen mustard.
At this point, I need to make a decision about which course of treatment to pursue. Please pray for wisdom, and thanks for everyone's prayers today. It could not have been better.
Now off to dinner with my gorgeous wife in NYC!
I know, I'm rambling. What did Dr. Foss say? Glad you asked.
She was very upbeat about my prognosis. With the right treatment, I could go into remission. Treatment options include PUVA, Targretin (topically or orally), Nitrogen Mustard (topically) (and here) and Photopheresis.
She's leaning against PUVA because of the undesirable side affects with being exposed to UV radiation. Targretin a new topical skin gel, contains a vitamin A-like compound. Nitrogen Mustard is a topical (mild) chemotherapy that has been around since the 1960's. Photopheresis treats the blood and, in essence, supercharges my immune system to fight the lymphoma. Cool.
Dr. Foss would lean us to photopheresis at a minimum because there are no side effects and it doesn't introduce harsh chemicals/drugs to my body. We can also use photopheresis in combination with tergretin or nitrogen mustard.
At this point, I need to make a decision about which course of treatment to pursue. Please pray for wisdom, and thanks for everyone's prayers today. It could not have been better.
Now off to dinner with my gorgeous wife in NYC!
