Re: [CML] Gleevec break - again

[MoonQn1]

Well, I am off of Gleevec once again.  I went to Umass to check out the lymph nodes, to find the reason that I am suffering so much and the oncologist is taking me off of Gleevec. I am worried that this will affect my status on the trial, but I think the doctor is steering me away from Gleevec permanently.  I have finally made moves toward Dana Farber, successfully this time, and am hoping to get on the BMS Trial wait list.  The trial is set for April, hopefully, though it is not yet written in Stone.  Speaking of which, I have an appointment with Dr. Stone and I feel very confident that I am at a crossroads here.   Because of my symptoms, the doctor has ordered a brain scan, MRI, and echo for the heart, although he does not think that CHF is present, and nor does he feel that the edema that can be so tough on Gleevec  patients is causing my problems. But,  from what I am reading on the list, many patients report similar problems to what I have, and their doctors say it is edema-related. I will be having some tests done before I go to Belize but I think I will be having the marrow biopsy and cytogenetics after I come back in March.  I am to stay off of Gleevec for a couple of weeks , and though I look forward to the break, I am a little nervous this time.   I shall endeavor to have a positive attitude throughout all of this, but I do worry that as time goes on, Gleevec is going to be phased out of my treatment.  It has proven effective thus far, but not effective enough to put me into molecular remission. I have great hope that the BMS drug will be an option for me and for those of us who find Gleevec intolerable over long term. I so wish that I could tolerate the side effects more gracefully but that has not been an option for me lately.  It gave me a great sense of peace over these past four years to know that it was working, and now that is coming to an end. I will report to the group any information I can glean from Dana Farber for those of us living in New England and interested in making the conversion.  It would be a welcome change to have a drug that has less side effects and works more efficiently. - Lynne A. New! Sign up for local CML support group meetings in your local community at http://cml.meetup.com Apply for Commercial Real Estate loans online and submit your deal to dozens of hungry lenders in just minutes. Loan programs for all types of business and commercial real estate. Apply anytime at http://realestatezoo.com CML (Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Support List) --------------------------------- Part Of CMLHope.Com An International Community Of CML Patients For more information: http://cmlhope.com Post Message: cml@yahoogroups.com Subscribe:  [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe:  [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To No Mail/Web: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To Digest: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED]  CML Group Web Site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CML Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT Children International Would you give Hope to a Child in need?   � Click Here to meet a Girl And Give Her Hope � Click Here to meet a Boy And Change His Life Learn More Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CML/   To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]   Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.