question about bone marrow biopsy and Vidaza

[Andrea]

Just had a concern:

A few weeks ago my mom completed her first round of Vidaza. Her platelets are within normal range, HgB is 12 on the Procrit and WBC’s are coming up since their initial drop.

Today, her Doc did a bone marrow biopsy to check if the drug is working before he puts her into a second treatment. Originally, he said this isn’t done for about three months. I didn’t have a chance to talk to him today. We will have results on Wednesday.

Her last treatment went pretty smoothly, no nausea, just fatigue and low WBC’s. Hgb never less than 10 with the Procrit. Her appetite was terrible, she lost 6 lbs that she really can’t afford to lose.

Any ideas?

Thanks, I love this site Andrea

[eve]

andrea

your mom’s cbc sounds quite good

i don’t really know if they can tell if the vidaza is working with just one round – i think they have to give it more time

the only thing they usual check before they start the next round are the liver enzymes – which is done through a regular blood test

my dad had a bmb before he started the treatment and then again before his 3rd treatment

good luck to your mom

eve

[Andrea]

Thanks Eve:

What are they looking for in the bmb? Here I am an R.N. and I don’t even know. They did one when they originally diagnosed her.

Thanks, Andrea

[eve]

andrea,

they are looking for abnormal chromosomes and blasts (immature blood cells) – shape of blood cells -fibrosis – and a whole bunch of other stuff that at the moment i can’t remember

eve

[Andrea]

Thanks Eve:

It seemed that the Vidaza was doing so well, I panicked that they would not do another month of it.
We’ll know Wednesday.

Andrea

[Author]

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