BMT post 76/First Setback

[Guest guest]

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