We've been waiting to see if the high powered Chemo administered on November 8th which stays in the body for at least 6 weeks might be effective against my personalized leukemia cells that returned after the 16 weeks of being home leukemia free.
As I believe I had indicated before, this was kinda the last treatment possibility that could bring a 5 year with no further treatment cure.
Unfortunately, it was confirmed on Tuesday that the Mylotag HAD NOT worked.
As with so many cancers, even Acute Leukemia has many different sub-set groups and each individual responds to various treatments differently.
Guess that is why they still call it the "Practice' of medicine.
So we're on to the next plan.
I had been running some high night time temperatures so a trip to the hospital was necessary for antibodic IV's.
In November, it took 12 day stay to get the infection/temp under control but this time the temps went down the 1st day after several IV's.
While in the hospital anyway, it was decided to begin a rather new Chemo that has been successfully applied to similar Acute Leukemia patients after other permanent cure techniques/efforts had not been effective.
It will be a 5 day out patient treatment every 4 weeks to hopefully bring the leukemia into remission while still permitting the body to produce the necessary levels of good White Cells & Platelets. Fortunately I've not experienced any of the very few side effects so far.
It looks like I'll be able to leave the hospital after the 5th treatment on Saturday afternoon and be home for Christmas.
Our son, Steve, is planning on coming in from Alabama for a few days between Christmas and New Years.
Sounds like it will take 2 or 3 rounds (ie 2-3 months) of the treatment to see if this might be the right counter punch and lifetime regiment to 'live with leukemia' rather than ever being really no 'further treatment cured'.
Thanks again for your continued thoughts and prayers as we experience the roller coaster adventure of Acute Leukemia.
Trust everyone is experiencing a Joyous Christmas Season and looking forward to a Wonderful 2008.
--
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment