Re: Reply to Beth about Ariad,Lottie

January 17, 2011

Dear Ladies,

The new year is suppose to be better than this - Jimmie sick and Beth has a

terrible rash. But it is the positive attitude by both of you that is going to

change it around! I will keep you both in my prayers and Lottie I hope that you

are doing well on Ariad. Jimmie will bounce back too. He is a wonderful husband

and caregiver for you. Strong as ever to fight any of lifes challenges.

Beth - Hang in there. That terrible rash is back! Ugh! The vacation from the

drug should clear it up.. Stay positive and strong but get your rest too. Your

body needs to fight this and that alone will wear you out.

God Bless you both,

Jackie S.

From: bethgalliart@... <bethgalliart@...>

Subject: Re: [ ] Reply to Beth about Ariad

Date: Wednesday, January 12, 2011, 7:21 PM

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Hi Lottie,

Thank you for your kind words. I think I am coming from feeling a bit

superstitious...of course, once I share with the world how great life is,

something flares up and kicks me in the pants. Does that make sense? And,

partially, I feel a little scared..if this doesn't work I head to transplant

(I'm not aware of anything reasonable in the pipeline at the moment for T315i;

but I could be wrong there, which would make me happy)

My rash has gotten quite aggressive the last 48 hours and now covers my arms,

chest, stomach area and is starting on my legs. I look quite attractive, let me

tell you! Thankfully it is winter and I can cover up with turtlenecks and long

sleeve shirts. I have been given permission to take a drug holiday starting

tomorrow. I have my next round of testing on 1/26-1/28 so we will re-evaluate

then. So far, my doctor has not been too excited to put me on steroids. Not sure

if that is because this is a trial drug or personal preference. He was against

it last summer when I had my rash and went with the drug holiday. Oh, and the

fatigue has kicked in too.

I agree re bumps in the road. I eternaly grateful that with age comes experience

and wisdom...bumps aren't as scary as they were when I was in my 20s or 30s. I

know I can ride them out and there will be the other side. (and this too, shall

pass away).

Oh well, frankly, ever since the discovery of my T315i mutation, I have treated

every single day as a gift. I know I have many gifts ahead of me and I will get

through this.

As I've said before, you are such an inspiration. You keep your chin up and

moving forward no matter what happens. And, I hope your driver (err, husband) is

starting to feel better. :-)

Beth

[ ] Reply to Beth about Ariad

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Dear Beth,

I hope you are not feeling bad because you posted all the glowing reports

about Ariad. This could happen to anyone at any time. You can treat it with

prednisone or just take a vacation, either way, it will go away eventually. I

know it must have startled you to see this happening after all this time. Each

of us had a different body chemistry. I have learned not to be surprised at

anything I see or hear. When I worked in a law office and for a judge, I heard

everything and now I think I have seen everything since CML diagnosis. LOL

Expect the unpredictable, and it's o.k., because I think it

has happened to everyone. Every day you wake up to sunshine, that is a

good day. LOL You are correct - this is just another adventure and this, too

shall pass. No one knows the origin or the author of this statement, but it

is so true to life. Some have attributed it to a story about King Soloman,

pertaining to his personality because he was never happy.

" He felt sorrow when he was happy, and sorrow when he was not,

because he was unable to see his way forward. "

Also, Abraham Lincoln said, in an address to the Wisconsin State Agricultural

Society in Milwaukee, WI. It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise

men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and

appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: " And

this, too, shall pass away. "

I'm sure there are other interpretions, but I think the true meaning is that we

cannot be happy all of the time, there are times when we are sad, but we will

live through it. I think it also signifies change, like every day is a new day.

I am sure that over the millineum, many things have been said about this saying

and many stories have been spun about it in every culture. I trust it to be

true, as everything is subject to change. Sometimes, when we are about to pass a

bump in the road, we know it will be better once we cross that bump, the ride

will be smoother. So, I hope this is temporary for you and hope for you, a small

bump and lots of wiggle room. Keep us informed.

I don't know how many people are in this trial, but I do know that all of the

slots have not been filled. If anyone is interested, they may want to inquire. I

don't think you have to go to a particular institution, they do exchange slots.

Phase 2 may also have more in the trial than Phase 1. From what I was told, they

reserved them for patients who were non-responders or had failed other trials.

It's worth looking into for this drug of the future.

I missed my trip to Houston because my husband is sick and he is my driver and

everything else, he fills all my needs. I just received a package from UPS and

it was

my month's supply of Ariad. I'm back in the game again. Today, I can truly say

that " this too shall pass. "

Carpe Diem,

Lottie Duthu

January 18, 2011

Jackie--here you are cheering us up when you are the one who has been walking

through fire!! Thank you for your note.

I am so inspired by how well you continue to be doing as your body heals.

Here's to 2011 getting itself sorted out. :-)