Mandy's Assigning Homework...you'll understand by the end.

We pull into the Zangmeister Center, located by the airport and I quickly realize it looks like a spa...very promising. (he, he) I don't know how many of you have been to The James Cancer Hospital, but it's not very warm and inviting...more like, well...a hospital.

Despite my love of the layout here, especially the waterfalls, we are here to meet Dr. Moore for what we are hoping will be our third and final opinion. We whole-heartedly expect his treatment plan to be in-line with Dr. Kuebler's very scientific "Wait and See" approach. We have heard through the grapevine that Dr. Kuebler and Dr. Moore are friends and practice medicine under similar beliefs. I still can't believe we now consider ourselves part of Lymphoma Social Network and even stranger yet that there is a "Lymphoma Grapevine". Beside the point I suppose.

Dr. Moore enters the room and begins by examining Dave. Each doctor has done this and each time I sit and patiently watch the doctor's face for some indication of what he/she feels. I don't know what I'm waiting for, a raised eyebrow or a puzzled lip...but doctor's seem to have mastered the infamous poker face. They must teach them this at med school. Dr. Moore is no exception.

He eventually sits down and begins the "What is Follicular Lymphoma?" speech. Although Dave and I have heard three doctor's give us this information, as well as, about 600 Lymphoma Websites, we sit attentively and look intrigued while longing for the part where he tells us what he would do if he were us.

When this time arrives, I notice we both sit up a little straighter in anticipation. Dr. Moore says at this point he beieves the "Wait and See" approcah is out of the question. Dave is a Stage 4 Lymhoma patient, but Dr. Moore has greater concerns with Dave's family history. I hear his point loud and clear. With a history this extensive, Dr. Moore feels Dave's Lymphoma may not be typical. It may grow differently and he doesn't want to wait around to see what kind of beast we are dealing with...fine with me, I think to myself. He goes on to suggest that we look into clinical trials. He talks about the benefits of doing these and how they truly include some of the best treatment plans available.

His suggestion is that Dave participate in a clinical trial that combines a very aggressive form of chemo with one of two drugs. I'm scared to look up at Dave at this point. Going into this, I know Dave doesn't want to do Chemo right away and I'm afraid if I look at him now, his face will look worried and I'll be unable to ask educated questions. So...I continue to stare at Dr. Moore and we fire away with our questions and concerns.

Here is the bottom line. 1. Chemo is extremely difficult on your body. It makes you susceptible to other forms of cancer, illnesses, and can make you extremely sick both during it's duration and permanently following. 2. Starting Chemo starts "The Chemo Clock" I've written about previously. 3. Starting Chemo would mean Dave would be mid-treatment when Marshall is born and most likely unable to fully enjoy his arrival. 4. Chemo can follow the clinical trial at The James if needed.

We ask Dr. Moore about The James' clinical trial compared to his and he says, " I can't say that one is better than the other. I just know Dave needs treatment." I know before Dave and I's eyes ever meet or words are ever spoken that we will be doing the clinical trial at The James.

When we get in the car, we agree, as I know we would. We meet with our now "official" doctor, Dr. Kristi Blum on Friday to tell her of our decision. For those of you who know me well, you know I'm a list maker. It drives Dave completely insane, but it's how I get things done. And, frankly, how I get him to do things too. :) My point is...I'm sending each of you a "Mandy-To-Do-List".

So many of you have been praying for Dave and I and we have truly felt the impact of your prayers. Today, I have some specific requests.
1. Pray that Dr. Blum still feels Dave is a candidate for the clinical trial after reading his full body CT scan and knowing that the lymphoma is in his bone marrow.
2. Pray that our insurance will cover the clinical trial.
3. Pray that Dave and I are making the best decision and that we continue to find courage within ourselves and one another to fight the best fight we have in us.