Dane, Best wishes and keep fighting. It sounds like you're on the right track. You've been an inspiration to us all.
Gay Bratton -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dane Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 9:45 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [CML] Re: [CMLHope] 76 Days Post BMT----First Setback Thanks Rob and all for the encouraging words. Tacrolimus is now being reduced to induce some GVHD so that it may in turn induce a little GVD. We are also considering bringing Gleevec back into the mix...possibly on Monday. My research onc is aware of the situation, and is currently checking for a BMS trail for post BMT molecular relapse. I believe that with a little gene targeting therapy "boost" can kill off the stragglers and let my new immune system take over in full. Talpaz also sees great possibilities with this idea. It is like the three pronged scenario I mentioned to you earlier. Gene therapy to induce remission or near remission "Gentle chemo with no radiation and transplant Gene therapy on the back side to finish things off. I've got it all in play with my oncs....so now all I can do is wait and try to keep busy. They are still giving me permission to go home between cinic days...so I probably will be spending a lot of time commuting back and forth from home to Houston. Beats sitting in a rented apartment wondering what the hell is going on inside me. This is the most difficult undertaking I have ever experienced. --- In [email protected], "Rob" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I hope you will be able to get the levels down further soon. The BMS or AMN drugs would probably be good options if that is needed. > > Rob > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Dane > To: [email protected] > Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Monday, April 25, 2005 4:24 PM > Subject: [CMLHope] 76 Days Post BMT----First Setback > > > 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. 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