June 3rd, 2006

Thank you for your prayers!!! They are such a source of strength and peace for me. God is such a gracious God and His presence is so comforting.

This is a very special day for me. 34 years ago today Barbara and I were married. God is so gracious to give me a partner like her. She has been such a helper and resource for me during this time. I don’t know what I would do without her.

Well I ended up back in the hospital again last night. Three days ago I was taken off of all medicines, including all antibiotics and the experiment drug (AMN 107) because of a sever skin rash. Because I am neutrapenic (very low white cell count) the doctors don’t want me out and exposed to any infections while I have no antibiotics. All the doctors are pretty sure the rash is from Alleperinal, an oral antibiotic I was taking. Apparently many people have this rash response. Yesterday I started back on the AMN 107 and they are giving me an IV broad spectrum antibiotic while I’m in the hospital.

The experimental medicine AMN 107 is working beautifully. My blood counts are coming back to what they should be slowly. The 107 has basically stopped all of the leukemic blast cells from coming out of the affected bone marrow. Now my normal stem cells need to get active and start putting out normal white cells. It will be good to get to a normal white count again so I can lead a more normal life.

I feel very strong and have a great appetite (even for hospital food). It is getting a little boring now that I’ve done this drill a couple of times. I’m trying to learn to just sit. That is very hard for me since I’ve always had projects and been so active.

I’d appreciate your prayers that the skin rash continue to resolve itself and that the 107 get me fully into remission (chronic stage of cml). My sister is being typed to see if she is a match for donor for a stem cell transplant. It is imperative that I have a donor match so I can go through a stem cell transplant. A transplant is the only viable long term cure for me. Please pray that a donor is found.

Thank You For Your Prayers!