[CML] 76 Days Post BMT----First Setback

[Dane]

Day 76 brings my first setback since the BMT process began.   I received the results of my second biopsy today.  It showed that I am now 100% donor cells (good) but my BCR-ABL level is up to 13.5 (not good).   In comparison,  my first biopsy came back 99% donor cells and a BCR-ABL level of 1.0.   Dr. DeLima explained to me that the anti-GVHD drug tacrolimus also reduces the donor cells' ability to fight the leukemia, so now my tacrolimus dose will be decreased.   The plan is to induce a small amount of GVHD in order to achieve Graft Vs Leukemia. Graft Vs Leukemia can start to bring the BCR-ABL level back down.   Dr. DeLima has also mentioned the possibility of bringing Gleevec back into the mix, but I have my doubts about this because I have already shown a resistance to the drug.  I talked with him as well as with my research onc about replacing the use of Gleevec with one of the newer BMS or AMN107 drugs to knock out the BCR-ABL and give my new immune system a helping hand.   He thought enough of the idea to email my research onc to get his opinion.  I sent my research onc a similar email and expect to hear back from him soon.   In the meantime, any chance of going home early is now gone, as my test results were not optimum.  I will be here for at least another month, possibly longer.  The good news is that as of this writing, I should still be allowed to go home on weekends.   As of this writing, I am still only in clinic two days a week, and I am still off home infusions unless my magnesium levels drop lower than they are.   So I wait....three more weeks until another biopsy, one more week to get those results.   Tick....tock.....tick....tock, etc.   Not the best day I've had since this thing began.   Dane 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 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.