Fw: ANC ! ! !

[Guest guest]

From: Eva

Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 10:42 PM

KTTWEETY@...

Subject: Re: ANC ! ! !

Hi , I am 52 yrs old. My doc told me than my Neutrophils were 0.9 , told me to

stop taking Gleevec and that I was to come back in one week and if my levels

weren't better than I would probably have to go on Sprycel. I was alarmed. She

was so matter of fact . My husband was with me for the first time and he was mad

, there was no discussing any other options she just kept on saying , " I don't

think so " We asked if I could just take half of my Gleevec and she said No , I

don't think so . I was doing really well. I wasn't have any side effects anymore

and I was starting to feel like myself again. I was finally feeling relaxed and

was not feeling like I was going to die anymore. I go back this Wednesday we

will see what she says. Thanks for your input. Eva

LKCS 2.8

HGB 123

HCT 0.355

MCV 105.0

Neutrophils 0.9

Lymphocytes 1.5

Monocytes 0.3

Eosinophils 0.09

Basophils 0.01

LD 681

From: IAintFinishedYet

Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 5:32 PM

Eva

Subject: ANC ! ! !

Hey Sister Survivor. . .

I don't know your age off-hand, however; I do know that I had very low ANC

counts after diagnosis. So low, that when my daughter took me to a hospital in

another county, my boy~~Doctor; wanting access to the hospital; told me to be

admitted or I would die if I didn't let them admit me from the low ANC count.

The fact that it was over 40+ miles away; I left against medical advise and went

to my hospital. I ended up firing this doctor for not giving my pain medication

to me while he was oncall for 2 days. Stating that my pain wasn't caused by my

Cancer and he wasn't giving me narcotics.

Back to the subject, I didn't have a 2nd or 3rd generation medication to take

then and I am now in my 5th year as a Survivor. I know that middle-age survivors

with other Chronic health issues, like myself; aren't doing very well on

Sprycel, etc. for longevity, our gold~~Gleevec is the medication for us. Sprycel

causes Pleural Effusion, Heart issues, etc., It is for patients who fail or

become intolerant to our Gold. . .not as an either/or medication. Though some

Physicians are prescribing it initially. Please get all information before you

switch, because some Survivors haven't been able to go back to Gleevec after

being on Sprycel., and are having Lung & Heart issues. I am not saying this to

alarm you, I want you to educate yourself, before proceeding to Sprycel. A low

ANC count doesn't mean you have failed Gleevec therapy . . . I was hospitalied

3xs with low ANC after diagnosis . . .

I AM A SURVIVOR. . .I AIN'T FINISHED YET ! ! !

Remember also, that the H/O~~Hematologists/Oncologists are learning about our

disease through us, we are the 1st Survivors~~Pioneers of our disease. We cannot

let them make Guinea Pigs out of us. . .we must remain informed and educated

Pioneers/Warriors for future Survivors. They look at each of us as a Statistic.

.. .I consider each of us an Individual and we must be active, informed, and

educated in our treatment for our Survival. I personally don't want to lose

another Brother or Sister Survivor who has let his/her Doctor use as a Guinea

Pig without knowing ALL the pros and cons. I have seen enough of that since my

diagnosis in 2003 and the morbid mortality I was given at that time.

This is FYI~~my 2 cents only. I am not Doctor, never portrayed one on TV, nor do

I aspire to be a Physician in another life.

Take care, I have you in my prayers. . . " K "

" K "

" I AIN'T FINISHED YET " !!!