Working up to Aug. 26th Transplant

Dear Team Boyd,

We are so glad to have our feet back on terra firma and our confidence strengthened in our oncologists at Northside. As I write, David and I are driving back to Athens after a world-wind trip to Houston, Texas, to consult with the doctors at MD Anderson. Kings of Leon are singing on the radio in their Southern Rock style "it's in the water; where you came from . . . ." I can't help but feel that they are playing just for us. Our source of love and strength come from our home, our community. It is only fitting that the fight of our lives takes place here in Georgia.

We have been on information overload for 48 hours undergoing an intense course on Non-Hodgkins Diffuse B Cell Cancer on crack cocaine. We have been surrounded by sick people- really sick people-and we've heard some extremely abysmal cases. Yet here we are knowing in our hearts that we are not a lost cause. We are not even close to the end. Rest assured that David Boyd is still the healthiest looking sick person out there. And if you look good, isn't that what really matters?:)

So here's the plan. We are proceeding with the allogeneic stem cell transplant at Northside hospital. David will begin the process on Friday, August 19 with another line placement and prelabs. He will have two days of high dose chemo followed by 4 days of radiation twice a day. The transplant will occur on August 26, exactly 7 months after his initial diagnosis.

MD Anderson is not completely out of the picture. They are our Plan B if the transplant doesn't work. And let's face it, the transplant is going to work. Although the cancer is extremely aggressive, all of the doctors agree that David has his young age and overall health -sans cancer- on his side. If that doesn't work, then I'll nag the cancer out of his body; I'm really good at that.

As long as David is feeling and doing well, he will receive all of his treatments as an outpatient. Therefore he will be staying at a location to be determined later but before Friday. It's a work in progress. David's Mom will be his primary caregiver for that first week, and I will visit as much as I can. Cards and packages can be sent to our home address, and I will ensure that he gets everything. Once we have a specific location for him I will forward the address to you.

Izzy, Cap, and I will stay in Athens. School and dance classes are going well for Iz and Cap is sleeping like a champ in his own bed. I'm not messing with that chemistry right now. Plus, I have a triathlon to race, not really "race" but to finish without collapsing.

To say "thank you" at this point seems so small and insignificant. Instead, let me share that each night as I lie in bed waiting for sleep to overtake my anxious mind and heart, I humbly thank God for you.

Love,
Lisa