June 13, 2007

Starting about five labs ago blast cells started showing up in the peripheral blood. Over the course of four weeks it moved from 1% to 58%. This, of course, is considered a relapse. Because of this we have changed our course of action to the following steps.

This week I will be starting the first round of chemo which is specifically targeted to my situation. There is a 10-20% chance of morbidity going through this round of chemo. On the other hand the is a 40% chance this chemo will put the leukemia into remission temporarily. Within two weeks of the first round of chemo I will undergo a second round of chemo. This round is called a conditioning round and should eradicate any remaining leukemia cells.

As these two rounds of chemo are being administrated my donor is being contacted and hopefully being made ready for a second transplant. The second transplant will differ from the first one in that it will also include lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are the most aggressive white cells your immune system. This course of action is by far the most effective.

After the transplant the plan is to get started on a new study drug which targets the mutated cell 315 which is cause of all this relapse. The hope is that this drug from MERCK will hold down the proliferation of the leukemia while the graft becomes very strong in the marrow.

Please continue God’s will be done and that Barbara and I will be strengthened to endure it.