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Hi PrettyFunky,
Once diagnosed with AA, you need to get treatment ASAP. Otherwise, you risk the possibility of further progression and evolution of the disease. You are young and I think that you mentioned that your Absolute Lymphocyte Count was decent. Both are very good markers for a positive response to ATG. You don't need the support network for ATG that you would for a BMT (although it doesn't hurt). The doctors and nurses will take care of you in the hospital. They should test your skin before they administer the ATG to look for a severe reaction. They won't administer it at all if you have a very adverse reaction to the skin test. You can also have them administer it at a slower rate.
After ATG, you will hopefully be on your way to recovery. It is a different feeling. Even if you do replase years later, you will be in a different space in life and won't be as blindsided as when you were first diagnosed.
You can always do the road trip after ATG. The road trip can wait. Treatment can't.
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55 yo female, dx 9/08, AA/hypo-MDS, subclinical PNH, ATG/CsA 12/08, partial response. small trisomy 6 clone, low-dose cyclosporine dependent
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