I thought I’d post on Hans’ progress, because I think the latest news got buried in another thread.
We found out just three days before Xmas that the chemo along with the experimental drug did not get Hans into remission. (In fact, the study was stopped due to toxic levels of “blood complements” in him. He was only the 2nd person to receive this study drug in Canada. They had to stop until they can figure out what caused this.) His BMB, done 5 weeks post-chemo showed quite a bit of disease still in his marrow.
So far he is feeling good, and apart from the shock of hearing that he will not be able to have the transplant, because they cannot get him into a durable remission from the AML, he is in good spirits. He’s eating well, no fevers, and today his blood counts were really good. His platelets have gone up from 28 last week to 83 today! His HG was 92, so he didn’t need any blood, either. Blasts last week were .13. We didn’t wait around today to hear the official blast count. Next week we will chat with his doctor, and find out if there is any other study going on that he can participate in. Otherwise, they don’t really have anything to give him now.
He is taking the Esiak caps that Sugarwhale recommended, a Chinese herbal blood tonic in pill
form, Noni juice, and of COURSE the 1/2 juiced pineapple a day.
We were so devastated at first to hear the news.
As usual, Hans is making it easy on me by feeling good and having a positive attitude. Our daughter Martha is handling it well, also. There is still a lot of laughter around here! (We have a Caringbridge page, too: http://www.caringbridge.org/me/esme) We are trying to enjoy every day we have together as a family, and it seems to be working. Who knows how many days together we have left? I’m rather proud of us!
many hugs,
Esme
.
