October 24th, 2005

It is hard to believe but it is my one year anniversary of being diagnosed with Leukemia. God is gracious and I’m doing well. I can never thank you enough for your prayers. They are greatly felt and appreciated.

The BCR Able test is the test that indicates the percentage of leukemic white blood cells to normal white blood cells. On August 16th I had a second BCR Able test that showed a 1.5 log reduction in leukemic cells. A reduction level of 4 logs indicates complete remission. As compared to the approximate 4000 people on Gleevec, I am doing well and am in the top 50% of patients heading toward molecular response. My side effects from daily Gleevec therapy are quite tolerable with overall tiredness, muscle aches and cramps being the most challenging.

Every time I see the Doc I learn a little more about my CML treatment because the first patients using Gleevec are exposing how effective the medicine is and what treatment parameters are best with its use. I first started taking Gleevec at 400 mg per day which was the recommended dosage in Oct 2004. Now I am at 800 mg per day, the current recommended maximum dosage. With Gleevec there are three responses to be successfully “cured” of CML (chronic myeloid leukemia).

Hematological response is where your blood counts are all stabilized and within acceptable limits because of the effects of Gleevec. I cleared that hurdle almost immediately and my counts are continuing to be great. The second response is a cytogenetic response where the bone marrow stops producing leukemic (myeloid) white cells. I am progressing well to that response. The third response is molecular where no myeloid cells can be found in the blood (the test can determine down to 1 leukemic cell in 1,000,000 regular white cells). This is considered to be total remission. Time will tell how complete my response will be.

If I were now diagnosed with CML I would probably be immediately prescribed 800 mg of Gleevec daily, instead of increasing from 400 to 600 to 800 mg over the first 8 months. Logic deduces that I would be farther along with a total (molecular) response sooner at a higher dosage. I am making good progress toward a healing and at worst case can expect to have a much longer time to love my family and friends while here on this earth. My next BCR Able test is scheduled for November 8th. Hopefully, I will be closer to the 4 log level then.

I do find my attitude being challenged quite regularly. Today when my doctor said I was doing very well and that my response is consistent with the top 50% of Gleevec patients, I immediately wanted to be responding better than the top patient. Instead of being thankful that God has made this drug therapy available for me and that I am progressing well, my thoughts went to how to speed the remission process along. Instead of being thankful that God, who created this universe, has blessed me with longer life, I wanted to help Him move a little faster and do it a little better (in my not-so-humble opinion). Apparently my faith in Christ is not fully perfected yet.

I appreciate all of you and our relationships very much.