It looks like Isabelle will not have to do round 6 of chemo and will be going straight to the final CHUV treatment in the coming weeks. On the 19th Isabelle had a successful lung biopsy to better understand the nature of the lesions in her lungs. We are still waiting for the results.

We come to the end of Isabelles 2 week recovery period after round 5 of her chemotherapy. She was able to spend time recovering and more time with Marlon than the previous round. She also did not have to go back into the hospital during that period. Tomorrow will be the 6th and final round of chemo (Matrix) from the Marietta protocol. Isabelle will be in until Saturday 23rd. PET and IRM scans have been scheduled for the 27th May before her final and heaviest chemo treatment in Lausanne. The dates for this still to be established but will probably be within 2 weeks of the 23rd May. The results of the first scans done in March were very positive and we are all hoping that this trend will be confirmed by these scans. The scaring in Isabelles lungs spotted at the beginning was initially diagnosed as sarcoidosis. The symptoms are scaring in the lungs caused by this auto-immune condition. They now will be doing a lung biopsy in the coming weeks to be 100% sure that this is not cancerous. At this point Isabelle is tired but she is being so brave in going back in to face another round of chemo.

Isabelle goes back into the HUG today for round 5 (R-ICE) of 7.

6.5 million white blood cells harvested! They needed at least 3 for Isabelle to leave the CHUV and she came home today. These will be frozen and used to help Isabelle recover from the last and most intense round of chemo. We spent a wonderful sunny weekend together at Sous-Moulin and Isabelle was able to spend time with Marlon for the first time in 19 days. It was an emotional and quite perfect couple of days.This will help her face the next round on Tuesday.

Transfer to CHUV to harvest Isabelles white blood cells in preparation for round 7 of chemo.
Round 5 scheduled for Tuesday 28th April in Geneva.

Isabelle was readmitted to hospital with a slight fever. She is in isolation as her white blood cells are very low. They have given her a blood transfusion.

Isabelle went back to her boyfriend Bastiens home. He has been an absolute rock and is looking after her until her energy levels and immune system are well enough to see people.

Start round 4/7 chemo (MATRix) therapy. Isabelle should be allowed home on Saturday the 11th.

PET and IRM scan results are positive. The growths have visibly diminished.

Start round 3/7 chemo (R-ICE).

PET and IRM scan.

Isabelle gradually lost the control of her right leg throughout January. This led to scans being done, analysis and hospitalization. By the beginning of February we had confirmation that Isabelle has Diffuse Large Blood Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) and that it had spread to her Central Nervous System (CNS). An immediate dose of targeted radiotherapy was directed at the three vertebrate were some of the growths were detected. This had a rapid and positive effect on Isabelle regaining feelings and eventually control of her leg.
The current gold standard for treating this type of cancer is called the Marietta protocol which involves six rounds of chemotherapy. Each alternating between targeting Isabelles CNS (called Matrix) and the growths on her spine and adrenal gland (R-ICE). These are administered over a five day stay in HUG hospital in Geneva. Isabelle then has two weeks at home to recover before the next round. There will be a final seventh heavy dose to cap this all off which will last a month in hospital and will be at the CHUV in Lausanne. The dates above follow this process.