I'm in remission. I think. They think. I think I mentioned that the doctors here at University hospital repeated the last bone marrow biopsy I got, the 14 day biopsy after the FLAG-IDA chemo. I think that was last Wednesday. Most of the results are in from that biopsy, and it shows no signs of leukemia cells. Which is puzzling, since the biopsy I had less than a week before showed I was still at 10 percent. Apparently, especially with FLAG-IDA, the chemo can have a kind of delayed effect. So even though the chemo had done its work and was out of my system, the leukemia cells took a while to actually die off.
This is great news. But, I don't want to get too excited yet.
The next thing that happens is ANOTHER BONE MARROW BIOPSY. They want to do it tomorrow. This would count as the 28-day biopsy. They also called it something like a recovery biopsy. It's the one they do when cell counts have recovered and you can look at the bone marrow to see what's growing back. If leukemia isn't growing back and normal cells are, that's obviously a good thing. If tomorrow's biopsy looks good, I'll be on my way to Seattle. After some other things happen. Like finding a stem cell donor. If it doesn't look good tomorrow, I'll be enrolled in a study. If some other things happen, like qualifying for the study.
These biopsies are getting more painful every time, so tomorrow they're going to knock me out. Or rather, put me in that twilight state. I hope that helps. After the biopsy, I'll be hanging out here until results come back again, hopefully before the weekend. And probably watching movies. And ordering room service. Because I can do that now. I'm currently waiting on a chocolate ice cream sundae. Because, why not.
Oh, there it is. I guess that's the trouble with expectations.
This is great news. But, I don't want to get too excited yet.
The next thing that happens is ANOTHER BONE MARROW BIOPSY. They want to do it tomorrow. This would count as the 28-day biopsy. They also called it something like a recovery biopsy. It's the one they do when cell counts have recovered and you can look at the bone marrow to see what's growing back. If leukemia isn't growing back and normal cells are, that's obviously a good thing. If tomorrow's biopsy looks good, I'll be on my way to Seattle. After some other things happen. Like finding a stem cell donor. If it doesn't look good tomorrow, I'll be enrolled in a study. If some other things happen, like qualifying for the study.
These biopsies are getting more painful every time, so tomorrow they're going to knock me out. Or rather, put me in that twilight state. I hope that helps. After the biopsy, I'll be hanging out here until results come back again, hopefully before the weekend. And probably watching movies. And ordering room service. Because I can do that now. I'm currently waiting on a chocolate ice cream sundae. Because, why not.
Oh, there it is. I guess that's the trouble with expectations.
I've had a couple of procedures done in that twilight state and have never remembered or felt a thing. It's kinda freaky. I hope it works blissfully for you.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed, legs crossed, arms crossed.
ReplyDeleteYes! So happy you got some encouraging news. And a chocolate ice cream sundae. Best wishes for a peaceful twilight zone/biopsy.
ReplyDelete