The what's next and what if's

So I am praying that this stem cell transplant (SCT) kicks my cancer into remission. However if it doesn't I still do have options. I have found that it's better to keep having options - when those run out that's when you get THE TALK from the doctors.

Once I complete the SCT I will then have radiation treatments. Either up here or at Georgetown. I have not met with the radiation oncologist yet but from what I read online it looks like they typically sign you up for 6 week. Another question is whether or not I will have involved field or full mantel radiation. Since we found out the disease did in fact spread to nodes in my lungs, armpits, and neck I have a feeling they will want to do full mantel.

After both the SCT and radiation is complete then they will do another PET Scan to see if anything esle lights up. I can only hope for the best, pray, and keep a positive attitude that this will be the end of the road for me. Should be sometime in April or May.

If not, and my persistent little disease decides to hang around we do have other options. My oncologist recommends I do a mini transplant. My sister is a half match and could actually harvest her cells and give them to me. It's similar to the SCT but I wouldn't receive my own cells.
If we do have to start looking at the mini option I think we will probably look elsewhere for 2nd opinion just to make sure. Most likely consult with NIH again but probably expand to Sloan in NYC and MD Anderson in TX.