Mar
My mom was diagnosed with non-hodgekins lymphoma about 8 months ago. She underwent intensive chemo, but the type of grade of lymphoma that she has advanced to a more aggressive say. Her doctor recommended that she undergo a stem cell transplant, but when she met with the transplant team the physician told her that she wasn't sick enough to have the stem cell transplant done, that she should wait a year until she’s really sick to get the procedure. Can someone explain to me why this is? Why would they wait until shes about to die before they would do something about it? why not do it now while it is easier to kill and go into remission? could it be because she doesn't have insurance? also they told her that when she would have it done that she’ll also have to have a blood transfusion and that there’s a 1 in 200,000 chance that she would get HIV or another STD. I am the same blood type as her and I know that I’m disease free so why do they refuse to use my blood? they stated that they wouldn't use my blood and that it has to come from a blood bank.
Answer:
It all depends on the exact type of non-Hodgkin (it comprises lots of different cancer types from the immune system). For most of these types of cancer, they’ve to wipe out the immune system totally. It is a very debilitating procedure, and perhaps this is what the physician refered to as “not being sick enough” as in her immune system has not been totally killed off yet. Only once the person is completely immunosuppressed do they graft bone marrow (and it is bone marrow, not just stem cells… the bone marrow contains stem cells for the immune system) and it is not always simple to get those transplants done. As for the blood, it's a technicality: blood for transfusion HAS to be tested and conditioned first so they can’t legally use yours. Because if they don't follow procedures and your mother has trouble with the transfusion she could sue them for not using donor blood as the protocol requests. They can't take that chance with anyone. Even though, has she been put on rituximab? It's an immunotherapy that helps with most types of lymphoma. Basically it helps the immune system to kill cancer cells. Best of luck. You can also ask the doc about Bispecific T Cell Engager (BiTEs) therapy, it's still only in clinical testing but she might be able to get that. It has very high success rates with few side effects. So it's only gonna be available to test in certain places where there are research groups leading clinical tests. Do be aware though that clinical tests mean it is not approved for treatment yet, and that they are running those tests to see if there are any problems with the therapy. Basically, it's not a tried and true method with known problems and so on. It's a shot in the dark.
Answer:
sadly I've had a lot of experience with NHL, my son was dx. at age 15 and also had a bone marrow transplant…
I suggest you check out the National Bone Marrow registry, and sounds like you really need another opinion
a great source is listed below for you to get a lot of info and help!!
Answer:
They’re stupid,go somewhere else for medical care!
Answer:
THAT CAN BE IT NO INSURANCE.