Lymphoma Conference

Nate and I attended the Lymphoma Research Foundation's forum this weekend.  The conference was at the Palmer Hotel in Chicago- very cool hotel.  We only attended the sessions on mantle cell lymphoma.  Both sessions had top doctors in the MCL field.  And I had no qualms cornering them after the session and asking questions!  Both doctors told us how they generally treat patients who are in their 30's-40's.  Attending this conference did not give us more answers, but it did give us more knowledge and better questions to ask.

It was also helpful to talk with other people with MCL.  Some of them are 12-16 years out from their initial diagnosis- so encouraging!  Granted, they have all had relapses and more treatment, but it was helpful to hear about the different treatment options available.  And everyone we met was so kind and encouraging.  A couple we only spoke with for only a few minutes told us to move into their house with our 5 kids if Nate ever needs treatment in the Chicago area.  That made me laugh, they haven't met our kids!  (I'm joking, our kids are awesome.) An older man with MCL prayed over us, which was unexpected, but brought tears to my eyes.

A couple of random thoughts after this weekend.  We learned MCL will always be in Nate's body. The goal of treatments is to knock down the levels and put the cancer into remission.  But, no one can predict how long his remission periods will last before the cancer starts up again.  Not going to lie, that is hard to wrestle with.  But, it was encouraging to hear about the research and new drugs being produced for MCL.  And I just want to give a shout out to researchers, that is crazy cool stuff.  That they can develop a drug that attaches to a cancer cell and delivers chemo directly into the cell to kill it? What the what?!  Also, listening to these doctors explain the human body and our cells and how "smart" our cells are, I can't help but wonder, "how can someone not believe in a Creator?" The human body is unbelievable.

So a couple prayer requests.  Nate and I leave Wednesday evening for Mayo Clinic.  They told us to plan on being there 4-7 business days.  That seems so long.  Please pray that our visit is shorter.  Please pray for wisdom- for the Mayo doctors and for us.  Pray for peace about whatever treatment option we decide upon.

Please pray for our kids.  Nate and I have been gone often this past month and now we are leaving for possibly a week.  It is wearing on our kids. 

Thank you for your messages and prayers!

-Stacy