Mommy

[Guest guest]

As Mommy to my daughter China, I am being forced to add weight to the subject of

being off drugs for CML. I am not a professional and this is by no means meant

to be " gospel " or an endorsement. I am writing this on behalf of , who

wants to become a mother. No matter what it takes, I know she will be a great

mother.

I have been off CML drugs for months now, as I have reported several times.

Even so, my counts have not been off the charts as I thought they might be. I

will share with you the highlights the doctor pointed out to me this week on my

last visit to MDACC. Keep in mind that I have been on CML drugs for 15 years

that earned me some credits in being able to remain CHR and CCR - never to PCRU.

wbc - 11.8 (4.0 - 11.0)

rbc - 3.93 (4.0 - 5.50)

hgb - 11.1 (12.0 - 16.0

hct - 35.4 (37. - 47.0)

plt - 453 (140 - 440)

Your doctor is going by the book on this issue, , but she does not have

your resolve to see this through. First I would see a doctor who had patients

who became pregnant with CML, that is paramount. Ask around, there are some in

the group who successfully broke the barrier and had children against the advice

of their doctors. There are doctors and yes patients, too, who would give you

some information on where to find these doctors who have seen women throughout

their pregnancy. Next you should find an obstetrician who would be willing to

communicate with your oncologist.

There would have to be an open dialouge between the two. My local doctor made

it very difficult for me when he refused to have any exchange about my CML

history with my doctors at MDACC. He just made excuses why he didn't or

couldn't/wouldn't. I should have seen the handwriting on the wall and dropped

him immediately. He continued to be a pain in the A** for 10 more years, until

I finally opened my eyes and left. I think my biggest deterrent was having to

go to the next town and having an alliance between the two, that if things went

from bad to worse, I would have him looking down at me in my hospital bed. If I

have to go to the hospital here, he would be the first doctor there as soon as

they looked at my blood results. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

So, my dear , do your homework and then work on your plan, and good luck.

It brings back memories of when I had my first child, you can't believe that you

are a mother, but with it, comes a lot of responsibility. Ask yourself if your

health is really up to it, and who will take care of this baby, do you have

family around you that can pinch hit?

Carpe diem,

Lottie Duthu