[PupsRule]

So much to learn. Jack, I’ll query the docs more about the "have fungus/no bmt" issue.

This past week underwent another bmb plus an MRI (to determine fungal status) and a biopsy on a swollen lymph node which appeared 4 weeks into my hospital stay. Back in a waiting pattern, which isn’t all that bad. Meanwhile, my sisters-in-law from Seattle and most excellent husband Jim are doing a fantastic job taking care of me, our pups, and the household. Bless our families and support systems!

[PupsRule]

Jeanette — first, my heart goes out to you and your dad. This is a most difficult disease for patient and caretaker.

I’m in a similar situation, and just finished a course of induction chemo, which is designed to put the leukemia in remission — consolidation chemo usually follows that. How long the remission lasts varies – sometimes years. In my case, the docs are looking to get me into a strong enough remission to plan on a transplant which, if successful, would be the cure. Might your dad be a candidate for a transplant?

[PupsRule]

Kristi — I should’ve checked their website. The info was from the lady who ran the marrow drive. Thanks for letting us know!

[PupsRule]

Kristi and Paul: We’re all praying for you. Hang in there!

[PupsRule]

Kristi — That is so excellent!!! Congrats. My own brother became a donor awhile back and was called in last week to further testing.

I also discovered that the National Marrow Donor Program offers free testing to anyone who applies for the kit online. We had a physical drive here in San Jose back in November and the donors were asked for a $25 donation to defray the cost of typing, etc. Interestingly, donors from the under-represented cultural/racial backgrounds were not asked to contribute anything more than a cheek swab — NMDP apparently has grant money it applies to associated typing/sampling fees for that group. Everything costs money. Sigh….

[PupsRule]

Lynn, Jack, Paul, and all the rest of you wonderful folks on this forum: Thank you for your incredible support! I pray that we all have a bountiful and Merry Christmas!

[PupsRule]

The original diagnosis of MDS apparently qualified me for the more conservative lower-intensity chemo that Vidaza offers. When I was re-assessed by Stanford as being AML the Vidaza plan was abandoned in favor of getting me into remission much sooner in preparation for transplant. My visit with the transplant team today was revealing. Even though I’m classified as M6, there are enough weird things going on in my blood even THAT classification isn’t 100%. Like I’m growing ‘giant’ platelets, have no plasma, and on it goes. Like I said in an earlier post, feels like I’m an alien.

I was advised that the two 9/10 donors haven’t been contacted because a transplant date hasn’t been set. But they’re lined up, and Stanford’s continuing to search national and international databases for better matches. The plan now is to do a mini-transplant because the pre-conditioning will be a lot less toxic and should work as long as the induction chemo takes me into remission. I’m checking into Stanford next Monday. They wanted to admit me this Thursday, but my 23d wedding anniversary’s coming up on Saturday and no way am I going to celebrate in a hospital room!

[PupsRule]

Jay — Thanks for sharing your memories. What a wonderful legacy your dad will leave. I think how lucky Noah is to have you as a father with all the experience and wisdom you gained from your own.

[PupsRule]

Hi, Vitality (I love that name!):

I’ve not tried these products, but checked out the websites. It’s not clear what any of them are actually guaranteeing — a cure, relief of symptoms, or what. One has to be wary these days.

Be that as it may, a lot of people use homeopathic and alternative practices/products to augment traditional therapies. You could take the lists of ingredients to your onco and see what he/she has to say. You could also contact each supplier and ask questions.

[PupsRule]

Congratulations!!!! Thanks for your kind wishes and have a wonderful holiday season!

[PupsRule]

Hi, Sandyha — One’s blood can hold (or develop) antibodies which may render transfusions with non-typed blood less effective. I have such an antibody in my own blood and so donor red blood has to be typed and processed before each transfusion. Has you father’s blood been re-analyzed to find out if this is the case?

Please let us know how he’s doing.

[PupsRule]

Hi, Pam — sorry to hear about your mom. Sounds like her MDS may have resulted from the chemo from her breast cancer treatment, an established secondary cause of this disease. At 83, your mom is likely not a candidate for a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, so therapeutic and supportive care may be her best options so she’ll feel better. Reading about Procrit and Revlimid may give you information on what they’re designed to do and how they work. Boosting your mom’s quality of life through blood transfusions as necessary and drug treatments might be a starting point in your conversation with her doctor.

Best to you and your mom, and let us know how you’re both doing.

[PupsRule]

Maurice — This is a difficult disease, and with so many treatment options it can also be daunting. I read so much the first week after diagnosis that it all started sounding repetitive. But it’s necessary to understanding the next step.

A bmt is the only sure cure for MDS. Pre-BMT treatment protocols may help to keep the body stable until a donor is found. I, too, wasn’t sure that I wanted to go the bmt route, but after discussion and more consideration from this list’s generous input, decided to proceed. With a potential diagnosis of AML at this point, the chances of a bmt success drops from 50-60% to around 14%. But I’ve decided to soldier on and continue the battle.

As others have written, it’s an individual choice. Getting a second or even third opinion is one way to go if there’s any question at all about your diagnosis and/or treatment options.

PS — I take a 25 mg tablet of Bendadryl to overcome the itchiness. I’ve been using it daily for the past couple of months and it works like a charm! Of course, please check with your doc first.

[PupsRule]

Janet – C-diff is a growing problem in hospitals around this country. It can also be induced via antibiotics. My husband came down with it this spring as a result of an antibiotic he was taking for bronchitis — he was out of commission for 6 weeks and on vanco for 3. We had no idea how prevalent or deadly this infection is until doing the research.

Thank you for your informative post, and my heart goes out to you.

[PupsRule]

Kathy — You’re in our prayers and hearts.

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