Hi Everyone,
I want to extend my thanks to those who have welcomed me to the site. Like most of you, I would rather not be here. However since we are in the same boat (so to speak), I am glad to have found the site. In reading your responses, I am glad my story is not unusual. I have felt sort of isolated, since I have not known anyone with Leukemia. I have many friends who have had tumor related cancers, but even they seem to react differently when the find out it is a blood related cancer. In regards to hematologists/oncologists that know better. My brother is a radiologist. During his residency he was studying to be an hematologist/oncologist. When I told him of my diagnosis, he flipped out. He wanted me to have my oncologist schedule testing of him and my sister for a bone marrow match. He wanted me to have a BMT asap. I told him that Gleevec is now the primary treatment for CML and the success rate is quite high. I also told him, that I cannot just put my life on hold for 1 year while I recuperate. By the time I recover (which there are no quarantees) I would lose my house, my business and my livelihood. He didn't really seem to care. He just wanted me "cured". I am glad he is a radiologist because his bedside manner sucks. I love my brother dearly and I am actually glad I went through this exercise with him. It has prepared me in the event my oncologist recommends a BMT. I have also started making changes to my business to ensure that if I have BMT, my business will function quite nicely without me during my recuperation. I have one humorous story about my initial treatment. On the day I released from the hospital, I was told to stop my the hospital pharmacy to pickup the Hydrea. I get my perscription and leave the hospital. The next day, my partner is cutting one of the capsules in half to give to me. I asked him what is he doing? I also told him I don't think you should be cutting capsules containing toxic chemicals. He shows me the prescription on the container and it states take 1.5 capusules twice daily. Since I just got out of the hospital, I just made the assumption the doctors, nurses and pharmacist knows best. After another two attempts of cutting the capsules and taking 1.5 capsules. I am also start not feeling well. I call my oncology nurse and she calmly tells me not to cut the capsules. After I get off the phone with the nurse, my oncologist calls me and is quite upset. He tells me I should be taking 1.5 mg of Hydrea not 1.5 capsules. He is extremely apologetic. I tell him I am glad I questioned the prescription and I didn't think there was any harm. The next week I go for my weekly meeting with my oncologist. The receptionist at the clinic, says to me "you are the guy who called about cutting the capsules". I tell her yes. The attending nurse shows me to the examination rooms she to says to me "you are the guy who called last week about cutting the capsules". I tell her yes and start thinking what is up. After my meeting with my oncologist, I go to the oncology pharmacy. The attending pharmacist says to me "did you call last week about how to cut the hydrea capsules in half". Of course I said yes, everyone in the pharmacy started to laugh. The pharmacist was very nice and told me she was glad I questioned the prescription. She also told me my oncologist has the worst handwriting. She was appalled at the mistake and told me that the story did go throughout the hospital and the oncology clinic. So now when I go the clinic, I greet everybody. We all still get a chuckle about the incident. So talk about the ultimate ice breaker. Thanks again for all of your wishes. Everyone have a safe and Happy New Year! Peter ------------------------ Yahoo! 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