[newlywedmds]

Thanks for the replies. My husband starts his first pre-transplant schedule at Fred Hutch next week, oct 22nd. He had 2 rounds of dacogen after all and no induction chemo, allowing him to continue working and enjoying his freedom before his transplant. We are hoping his last pre-transplant bone marrow biopsy will show no large increase in blasts so he can stay on transplant schedule for nov 19th and not have to do induction first.

[newlywedmds]

Thanks for responding Desiree. It has been tough not knowing what the best treatment is while waiting for the transplant. Induction chemo was suggested to us as well, but the doctor opted to try dacogen first so that my husband can continue to work and have a relatively normal life before his transplant. Is induction chemo strictly inpatient in the hospital?

[newlywedmds]

Sorry- “the Hutch” is short for Fred Hutchison Cancer Research-though really treatment is though Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

[newlywedmds]

Thanks for the responses. We have been consulting with the hutch at every step of treatment. The main reason for the switch to dacogen is that the vidaza isn’t improving my husbands blood counts- they rise during chemo, fall at the nadir and then level out to pre-chemo levels once again. We are making decisions on the premise that a transplant is <3mo out, so primarily I think the goal is to possibly improve the counts and keep the blasts in check. Not sure we'll be able to get 4-6 rounds of anything before a transplant. Maybe we should be taking a slower approach to treatment to ride out the vidaza, assuming the vidaza would do something beneficial eventually?.

[newlywedmds]

My first/best advice, exercise! My husband and I on our saddest days have been able to control the despair by walking. We feel very good after about 2 miles. Second to that, seeing some light hearted disney/pixar movies like Kung fu panda is good distraction. Also spending time with friends who don’t dwell too much on the illness and can just talk about books/movies and generally entertaining things. Spend time with family. Keep busy. Stay optimistic. Also, we recently went to see a naturopathic oncologist after my husband’s first platelet transfusion, and he recommended Steve take Rapunzel Sesame oil, 1 tbs twice a day. Steve’s platelets went up for the first time since getting diagnosed. Of course we can’t be sure it was from the sesame oil, but it’s a nontoxic solution that might work for you. Also we read “it’s not about the bike” by Lance Armstrong. That was motivational too.
Focusing on eating right and making healthy meals feels good too. My friend bought me “the cancer lifeline cookbook” and “one bite at a time” cookbook and the recipes are great. Our friend recommended Qigong and meditation, which helped her husband deal with his cancer and treatment.

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