HEALTH UPDATE

Sorry I haven't updated my blog in a while. After getting the news about my relapse, it's been hard for me to write, at least publicly. I've done quite a bit of journaling.

But here's the latest:

Great news. As far as my latest test results, so far so good. It came back negative, which is fabulous. The increased dosage of my targeted therapy (Gleevec) is working. But I am still waiting on the results for one other test, which is the most accurate.

I’ll try not to get too technical but there are basically three tests used to diagnose Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML), with increasing levels of sensitivity. First they look at the blood level (CBC Test), then at the cellular/chromosomal level (FISH Test) and finally, at the DNA/molecular level (PCR Test), the most sensitive and accurate test. I’ve come back negative on the first two tests (which is good) and will get the results from the PCR Test in about two weeks.

The best part is that because of my negative FISH Test, it is extremely unlikely that I will need aggressive treatment at this time(!) in the form of a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT). There is the likelihood of residual disease, but even if the PCR Test comes back positive, the trace amounts would be extemely small so I’d still continue with Gleevec and not need a BMT.

There are still some issues that need to be resolved, we still don’t know the durability of remission and this still isn’t considered a cure, only the delaying of the disease's progression. But I'm so thankful for Gleevec, without it life would be much different for me.

So basically, I can get on with my life. I’ve gotten a second chance (actually a third chance.)

Life is short. Life is good.