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My name is Tim O'Connor, currently diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. I was originally diagnosed with this cancer in March 2016. I did 6 rounds of chemo. After being in remission for 18 months, I thought to myself "Gee, wasn't cancer fun? I should do it again!" I was re-diagnosed in early January 2018. I started chemo on my 50th birthday. Don't be jealous! Currently at Stanford Hospital awaiting a Bone Marrow Transplant from my own stem cells. My wife of 17 years and two boys aged 11 and 7 are spending their summer vacation to cheer me on. The treatment plan at this stage is heavy chemo which wipes the good and the bad, then I get an infusion of my own stem cells which were collected last week. Basically a CTRL-ALT-DEL on my immune system. This type of treatment has been around for 30 plus years and has been very successful. The biggest risk will be infection since my immune system will be compromised because of the chemo. Secondary risk is death by boredom because I have to stay here @ 3-4 weeks. I have books, movies, and my laptop to help pass the time. The total recovery period is 6-12 months. Successful outcomes require at least 3 things: a good team of doctors and treatment plan (I didn't pick Stanford because of the easy parking), a positive attitude (possibly too much attitude, so got that more than covered), and support from friends and family (that's where you lovely folks come in). So here is where I will provide updates and you can comment and what-not.
