Bone marrow biopsy results and current options.

Hello everyone and thanks for your patience in hearing these results.

We all met with Dr. Lancet today at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa and here is what he had to say:

As of today blood work results remained in stable levels.

The biopsy showed Carol having 27% blast cells present. This is, however, still within rationale for use of Vidaza treatment (specifically Dr. Lancet said that as high as 30% blast cell levels have rationale of using this treatment). Dr. Lancet did make it clear that this is an aggressive condition that should be treated with little postponement in order to achieve a remission. Here are the current options as we see them.

1) Vidaza (described more thoroughly in a previous post) may be administered via IV for a period of 7 days and can be done as an outpatient procedure at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Carol would then have 4 weeks off before repeating the 7 day treatment/4 week break cycle until it is clear whether it is working. If it does not succeed in inducing remission, most of the following options can still be attempted with the exception of the following option and I will explain a little more in its description.

2) At Moffitt, a new clinical study drug can be used in conjunction with standard chemotherapy in the form of an oral tablet taken following chemo. for 4 to 6 weeks. The clinical study drug is specifically designed to treat high risk leukemia because standard chemo may not be as effective in Carol's condition. However, since it is new, there is no proof of any success rate. Also, this treatment is only an option if used as a first choice (otherwise, it is possible to try Vidaza and then standard chemotherapy as well as variations of it if one is unsuccessful).

3) Standard chemotherapy at Sarasota Memorial Hospital for 1 week, plus a 3 week recovery period. Again, if this method is unsuccessful, alternative chemotherapy drugs can be tried.

4) Carol is considering consultations with Dr. Brown, an Arizona-based Naturopathic Doctor who successfully cured himself of cancer without chemotherapy and is a trained oncologist and has additional training in naturopathic medicine. Dr. Lieber and Dr. Brown have agreed to collaborate should the naturopathic remedy approach be employed. This treatment would involve such things as IV vitamin C along with a special cancer-fighting diet that we have already started (using juicing of certain fruits and vegetables as well as other organic foods)

As mentioned in previous postings, a Bone Marrow Transplant will be necessary but the blast cells must go into remission for the transplant to take place and result in the highest probability of an effective cure. The transplant itself is still a high risk procedure but we will be learning more specific information about that from the transplant team when the time comes. Dr. Lancet does feel that Carol's good dieting and exercise habits certainly help here.

There is another appointment tomorrow (Friday, March 19th) for blood work with Dr. Chu to monitor whether a transfusion is needed.

As you can see we are a bit up in the air with this important decision, but pending further consultation with Dr. Chu, Lieber and Brown we will have the knowledge and confidence to make a decision.

Here's a shot of myself, my mom and her sister Susan and nephew Jason who cooked us a delicious salmon dinner tonight for Jaime and Carol's 27th anniversary! (Click to enlarge)



Thank you all so much again for all your caring support in all its forms.

-Daniel