its official...

the biopsies came back showing "relapsed B-cell lymphoma"

we kinda expected this but when the doctor comes in and sits down and says it...it is like getting punched in the stomach. we are not sure of all the specifics but here is what we do know:

the cancer is back- right now we are only sure that it is in the lump in his left arm.

the liver enzymes took a jump- so we are having a PET scan on friday to determine if the cancer is anywhere else in his body (but looking particularly in the liver).

the minimum treatment is going to be 2 rounds of chemotherapy in combination with radiation of the arm. (possibility of 3 or 4 rounds depending on what the scan shows)

the chemo being used is different than we have had in the past...they give nicknames to all the chemo regiments...the first one he had was hyperCVAD. the second time around he had ESHAP and this time we are using one called ICE.

the process is most likely going to start early next week...but could be sooner depending on the scan this friday.

the chemo will require that he gets a central line of some sort put in...we have requested that they do that before his admission if possible. (from experience we know this is better than trying to get it all done on admission).

so...that is about it.

it is kinda weird...the kids are doing this and that and i am whining that i have to go to work in the morning and tim is reading the newspaper...business as usual at the dewalt house. sad that this has become second nature to this family. it will probably sink in a bit closer to the actual admission day...

enough for once night...keep praying.

thanks for checking in.

tim and tammy