I was awake this morning wondering how it would feel to worry for days if you have cancer in your body again. I can't even imagine..... PTLD = post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, a form of non-hodgkins lymphoma (a cancer specific to transplant patients).

1st time - 6 years ago - excruciating pain that came on suddenly. CT scan showed a mass - that section of bowel was removed. No other spots of PTLD so no chemo.

2nd time - 5 months later - right after her 2nd transplant - she woke up in a pool of blood. A polyp of PTLD was removed. No further treatment because no other spots were detected.

3rd time - 5 years ago - came home one day and said it hurt a bit when she took a breath. Tests showed a tumor on her lung and some spots in her esophogus. Chemo took care of most of the PTLD, but a stubborn section of tumor on the lung was surgically removed.

4th time - July 2009 - excruciating localized back pain that kept increasing in intensity - CT showed very large lymphnodes, blood work consistent with PTLD. Chemo for 4 months. Scans have been clean since then.

We are waiting for the capsule to travel it's path, so the next step can be decided... a slow day.