Second Opinion Significant:Changing Doctors!

Second opinion was with a Dr. Craig Nichols, recommended to Margaret and I by Sue Sumpter, Patient Services Manager, at the Lukemia and Lymphoma Society who stated that if she had Lymphoma "this is who I would see". Sue also stated that given her knowledge she was quite surprised to hear that I was being recommended for a Stem Cell (bone marrow) transplant as a first time diagnosis and that usually she's heard of it more often for only relapse patients. I've included a link for Dr. Nichols so you can all see his credentials...in a nutshell, he is a Lymphoma specialist and he is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the best! How grateful I for having discovered him due to Margaret and my pursuit of information.

His opinion confirmed what we already understood as standard protocol for Lymphoma which is R-CHOP therapy (see link for description). His opinion differed significantly from my current Oncologist's reommendations regarding aggressive therapy from the on-set. Dr. Nichols indicated there is not clear significant studies or clinical trials that have truly proven an improved survival or remission success with the use of aggressive therapy at first on-set. Further, only if my cancer does not respond well (diminish) to R-CHOP, then he would consider more aggressive therapies which could possibly include the Bone Marrow or Stem Cell Transplant (SCT). He expects to achieve remission without it!

What we understand from our research about R-CHOP is that the R (Rituxamab) drug is an monoclonal antibody that specifically targets the bad cancer cells and has made a huge difference in the fight against Lymphoma. And that much historic data and survival numbers are based on only CHOP therapy so many of those numbers are out-dated.

There were a few other details shared during our meeting with Dr. Nichols that made if very apparent, to my sister, father and I, that Dr. Nichols was exceptionally bright, very confident and highly knowledgable regarding Lymphoma. He was the first doctor who actually said "You're going to be OK". His comment brought me to tears Friday over lunch with Margaret as I shared and reflected upon the impact of his comment because not one Oncologist, to date that we've seen, has directly said that to me. And given his expertise and 20 year history with patients, I know he wouldn't say it if he really didn't believe it!

So, the best news here is that Stem Cell Transplant is off the table until it is deemed truly necessary. And I'm changing Oncologists and going with the Dr. Nichols. This also means he wants no further delays of my treatment and I'm expected to start chemo next week! Finally!