It has been a little while since my last update so I thought today would be as good as any for another update.
GVHD Update
My GVHD has been well controlled over the past couple weeks. Last Tuesday we tapered my prednisone down to 125mg from 150mg. Over the past week my GVHD has still remained fairly under control even with this taper. A couple times my skin has turned pink but it goes back to normal after a bit. The first time it happened it gave Amy and I a little worry, and got me quite down because it felt a little like my GVHD would never get under control. But my body responded and got back to normal. Now I know that my body will go back and forth in its battle with the GVHD. Despite the back and forth my doctor is still very happy with my skin’s progress. So happy that at my appointment yesterday he lowered my dose of prednisone again to 115mg. He is planning to continue to move very slowly on my taper so as to try and avoid large flare ups with my GVHD.
Great News
The doctor is so happy with my blood count and organ enzyme results that he cancelled my Friday appointment. He only wants me coming in once a week so that there isn’t any overthinking done and other doctors don’t start playing with my doses. This made me very happy and this doctor quickly has moved to the top of my list as favourite doctor J And the best part is, unlike last time I don’t have any other appointments this week.
Not So Great News
The pathology results came back from my last bone marrow aspiration. The pathology test tells the doctors how well the blood lines have developed in my bone marrow. This is an indication of how well the new cells have engrafted. It turns out though that the sample taken in my last bone marrow aspiration was too diluted for pathologist to get proper results. So I will have to have another bone marrow aspiration done sometime in the next couple weeks. The doctor today told me today he is not worried about this test or the results at all, because my blood counts wouldn’t be as strong as they are if there was a problem. I am not worried about the results of this test either, especially after speaking with the doctor today, but for piece of mind I agreed to do the aspiration again. I have requested someone specific to do this test so it is done in the proper place and this truly is my last aspiration.
Amazing News
The last bone marrow aspiration wasn’t a complete waste though. The molecular results have come back and there was no trace of the Philadelphia Chromosome found. They had prepared Amy and I to expect that some of the philadelphia chromosome would be present in this test as it is very common for it to be present this early on, so this was amazing news. The doctor also explained to me today that this means that I have achieved molecular remission, which is the highest and best form of remission I can achieve. It doesn’t change the protocol going forward at all and I will still go back on Gleevec to prevent a relapse, but it was such amazing news to hear my transplant achieved full remission. It makes all of the chemotherapy and terrible radiation worth it.
Personal Update
I finally finished my photography manual last week. At the end of completing that monster I just needed time to just “veg” out. So for the past week I barely opened my computer and spent most of my time vegging out on the couch playing Call of Duty Black Ops on my PS3. It has been wonderful to just veg out. Yesterday I got an ereader from one of my aunts. I am extremely excited about this little toy, so much so I have already loaded 80 books on it! Now to choose which one to read firstJ I also got myself a pair of lowepro photography gloves, to keep my hands warm while using my camera. Now that the temperature has warmed up a bit from bitter winter, I intend to go out for some afternoon walks with my new gloves and camera and get back into photography.
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