My apologies for the long absence in updates.
It has been another rollercoaster ride and with the intense heat we have been having in Geneva I just didn't have the energy to send an update.
Isabelle had another PET scan (which detects rapid cell growth) on the 3rd of June. The doctors then called and asked for Isabelle to come in to get the results face to face which was quite stressful to hear. They had good and bad news.
The good being that the 5 rounds had successfully removed any traces of the cancer. The bad being that a fist size mass has now appeared between her lungs.
If this was Sarcoidosis (an autoimune condition that Isabelle was diagnosed with at the start of her treatment in February) then she would continue with the final two rounds of chemo and then could go home. If it was a mutation of her cancer then she would go straight into the CAR-T therapy.
The past 3 weeks have been composed of the doctors attempting to diagnose this mass. Isabelle has had two biopsies under general anaesthetic. Neither of which were able to actually sample the granulomas which would enable them to complete a conclusive diagnostic. She had another PET scan on Friday the 26th of June and we are waiting for those results along with some blood tests and a second analysis of a bone biopsy done a few months ago. The overall opinion is that there is a 90% chance that this is the sarcoidosis flaring up due to all the chemotherapy. But until they know we cannot proceed with the treatments.
Asides from the extra background anxiety this has introduced into Isabelle and our lives, we have had the joy of having Isabelle living at home (in Sous-Moulin) for the past 6 weeks. She is relaxed and healing from the chemo. Her hair is growing back and she is able to spend time with Marlon who is learning to swim and is being an absolute shining star. Isabelle and her boyfriend have found and will be moving in together to a wee house outside of Nyon on the 1st of August. So positive and happy plans are being made for the future. Again apologies for the long silence, I appreciate it can be heavy. All is as well as it can be under the circumstances and we are hoping to hear back from the doctors at the HUG (Hôpital Universitaire de Genève) in the coming days. If you have any questions please email me directly. Be well and stay cool!

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.