Jill gets an excellent report

This week Jill got the results of her recent scans back. The scans were completely clear indicating that there are no signs of any cancer in her body at this time. This is the best possible news we could get. It is too early to claim victory in the "war" but she has certainly won this "battle." This week, she will be meeting with her oncologist to start working out a plan for next steps in her treatment. They will consider options for reducing the likelihood of a recurrence.

In the mean time Jill has been busy with Team in Training. A new team started its training program this month and Jill has been there to thank them and cheer them on. This Friday and Saturday was also Boise's American Cancer Society Relay for Life in which volunteers walk and run all night to raise money for cancer research. The event also commemorates and recognizes those people whose lives have been touched by cancer. Jill, Sylvia and Scott attended the opening ceremony and the beginning of the relay.

In the next blog entry I will share what we know about the next set of treatments.
tom

Radiation treatment finished

Jill finished radiation treatment 2 weeks ago, and is continuing to recover and increase her strength. In two weeks she will have a complete scan to see if there are any signs of tumors remaining. The next step may be to receive a treatment called donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI). DLI involves the introduction of a donor's lymphocytes, or white blood cells, into Jill's blood. Donor lymphocytes can attack cancer cells and boost immunity against future recurrences of the cancer. This process will probably require Jill and Sylvia to go to Seattle.

Jill has been busy the last few weeks, volunteering with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The Boise chapter of the society is recruiting runners and bikers for their next Team in Training program, and Jill speaks frequently at their recruiting events.

I was out to Boise to visit them for the Memorial Day weekend. It was a very good time to be there since Jill had just finished her radiation, the weather was great, and Scott had some time off work. We drove up into the mountains, walked frequently and had a nice visit.

The next milestone will be getting the scan results back which should occur shortly after the scan is complete. By the end of June we should know if and when the DLI will start. I will add an entry to this blog as soon as we know.

tom