[bexar2120]

Well, have a consult with Genetic counselor and a scheduled appointment for consult at Houston- Mays Cancer Center downtown in mid May. I have High Risk MDS with a genetic variant, TP53. Purpose for the consult is to search for appropriate clinical trial.
Otherwise, Cycle 5 starts on Monday and will continue on till physician says clinical outlook has changed. Hopefully, Vidaza treatment stays effective for near term. No remission for this variant.

[bexar2120]

UPDATE: 03April 2023.I had an uneventful trip to Las Vegas; yes, in my mind, returning with half my bankroll is uneventful. It was an enjoyable 3 day trip.
So, started 5 day Vidaza treatment today and the preliminary blood work showed excellent improvement in my CBC blood indices. Hgb&Hct, Rbc’s Wbc’s and platelets are back to normal levels. The physician and I are very pleased and decided to stay the course with Vidaza.
Quality of Life: much improved this past few weeks. More energy and no side effect symptoms.
Most Important to Remember – Hem/Onc physician and I discussed option of continuing on to Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant. This may occur when you, the patient are stable and disease has not progressed to AML. MDS will eventually progress to AML.
One must reflect on whether to precede to ASCT; the study’s on Overall Survival rate after ASCT are not confidence boosting.
ANyway, wife and I have scheduled trips next 2 months and will enjoy our life. She retired from work this past Friday.

[bexar2120]

Mr. James, I am not in a Study – as of this moment. Only on the Azacitadine/Vidaza, but I expect to eventually be placed on Venetoclax if/when my High Risk MDS progresses to AML. I have a TP53 variant as well as other genetic irregularities.
My Hem/Onc physician informs me that MDS will eventually lead to AML. He stated that Venetoclax would be added to my regime when diagnostic testing indicated the Vidaza was no longer effective.
Side effects of Vidaza alone where fatigue, frequent urination and body temperature fluctuations. Also, the first two months, my blood indices dropped dramatically, but have rebounded this March.
This raises the question of: When Vidaza has promoted appropriate body response and blood indices are “normal”, should we have a discussion with physician to continue to a stem cell transplant with matched donor stem cells?
Myself, I am leery of using another person’s stem cells.

[bexar2120]

UPDATE: 14 March 2023.
Yes to Kate / Amy concerning the constipation. The colo/rectal surgeon repaired a fissure on my sphincters’ muscle and now, the OTC laxatives’ with prune juice have resolved that issue. Hemorrhoid’s are still present, but adapting to them.
Vidaza symptom’s have been fatigue, frequent urination and drowsiness during treatment cycle week. Much effort goes into staying hydrated with fluids.

Quality of LIFE: my preliminary bloodwork prior to 3rd treatment cycle showed slight improvement in blood indices. Enough so that I arm twisted my wife and scheduled a solo Las Vegas trip next week. Oh Well – she was emphatic that she would not retrieve me if I take a turn for the worse on this trip.

FYI: I read some recently released medical articles concerning new therapeutic drugs/trials in the pipeline for High Risk MDS/AML patients. Hopefully, they will garner FDA approval in the short term. Fact of the matter is High Risk MDS progresses to AML – This Happens When It Happens.

[bexar2120]

UPDATE: Well, the disease is making it difficult to Keep enjoying LIFE. The trip to Las Vegas fell thorough due to acute MDS related illness that required hospital admission. Testing found no medical illness, so, we attribute it to the MDS. I have had several of these instances since Oct 2022; most current was 15-18th Feb 2023.
My Hem/Onc said my Hgb/Hct would increase. I have completed 2 cycles of treatment, as Jean posted- hopefully, a few more cycles will improve these numbers. FYI: I have been receiving blood when my Hgb drop below 7 g/dl.
As far as Vidaza drug side effects- I have had ear congestion, fast heartbeat, fever, chills. They resolve themselves. So, it is just the disease doing its’ thing.
Last, the current medical condition affecting my daily life is Hemorrhoids. My Hem/Onc said this condition is common ?? among cancer patients. I will just say it began after Vidaza treatment started.

[bexar2120]

UPDATE: 17Jan2023. I just completed 1st cycle of hypomethylating agent ( VIDAZA) and it is 4 days since Day 7 injection. I have exhibited slight nausea as an only side effect; prescribed nausea medicine easily handles this event. The only complaint I have has to be fatigue from the severe anemia that I previously mentioned. It frustrates me that I am limited in physical activity/mobility- attempted to walk dog and did not make 200 steps. I had to stop and lean against sign post to recover. Physician states hemoglobin/hematocrit will rise during the course of treatment. Sooner the Better.
Anyway, We are adapting to this new normal; my wife ( caregiver) and I are soon departing to LV Nevada to continue enjoying our life. I will just be using a Scooter to enjoy our visit.

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