More Results (Email)

From: Brack

Date: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 10:52 PM

To: Subject: More Results

Family and Friends,

 This is an update from the sucker punch email I sent last Friday morning. Most of all, thanks for the incredible support, good wishes, prayers and a few hilarious stories. Jen, the kids and I truly appreciate everything.

 I had my PET/CT scan yesterday and the results were ready this morning. Dr. Seifter called promptly to tell me that I am a Stage 3A Hodgkin's Lymphoma (mixed cellularity subtype). Not the worst result but could be better. I'm a stage 3 because the cancerous lypmph nodes are located above and below my diaphragm, specifically in my neck, chest and abdomen. The largest mass is 4.7cm x 4cm, well under the 10cm threshold that would make my situation more serious. There is no sign of cancerous activity in my liver, spleen or adrenal glands – a very good thing. Since I don't have any other symptoms and there are no organs involved I am the "A" designation. 

 Jen and I have a consultation with Dr. Seifter on Thursday at 11am, after my echocardiogram. He will explain the full chemotherapy regimen and we will ask lots of questions and decide when to start. It could be as early as next week. The plan is still to use ABVD, a 4-drug regimen, for 12 total doses with a dose every two weeks. So I will be ready for spring to get here and chemo to end successfully. And hopefully I'll have hair before I have to rub suntan lotion on my scalp. The chemo will be administered at Dr. Seifter's practice, a comfortable and spacious facility in Lutherville, MD (Park Medical Associates). We'll get to meet the team on Thursday and prepare for the road ahead.

 I attached a humorous picture for the fashion conscious on this email distribution. On the way out of the house for the PET/CT yesterday I was comfortably dressed in my favorite W&M shorts and a suitably non-matching purple t-shirt. I figured that was the best attire for me to have since I was going to be laying in the scanner for 30-45 minutes. When we got to American Radiology I noticed that, once again, I had left the house in bare feet and forgotten my flip flops. I did have work clothes packed though. I wish I could describe the 30+ amused/disgusted looks I got when I walked into the crowded waiting room in my shorts, t-shirt and black work loafers with no socks. It was truly a sight I can assure you. Jen captured it for posterity for your amusement. Kind of reminded me of the recent Southern Comfort commercial (minus the beach, mustache, glasses and speedo…. And yes my head did fit in the scanner tube with room to spare (not much).

Dressed for Success!

 I plan to keep copious notes as we beat Hodgkin's Lymphoma – we're a family and friend team. I've already found a couple blogs that were incredibly helpful for me to understand the timeline and activities facing me. Even though everyone reacts differently to ABVD and some don't lose their hair (yes Wrigs and Big Murph, bald is beautiful), I'm getting a picture of what the range of possibilities are. 

 I also included my original email below for a few new folks on the distribution.

 Keep the questions, suggestions and funny stories coming.

Love to you all,