Monday Out-Patient Appointment Update

To recap, Mom had a bone marrow biopsy performed one week ago today, and was released from the hospital to go home. She has definitely been enjoying the unplugged life.

She went to her appointment on Monday to learn the results of the biopsy and to discuss what lies ahead.  One of the tests is called a FISH panel. (FISH probes are for detecting gene mutations typically associated with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.) When she was admitted to the hospital, her count was 200 out of a possible 200. After the 38 days of treatment, she is at 9/200.  That number has to be a zero. 

The plan going forward is to stay home with no treatment for one week, which will take her through this weekend. Then, she will remain at home and restart the Vesanoid (pill chemo). She'll take that for two weeks, then take nothing for 1-2 weeks after that. Within that one to two weeks, she will return to the hospital for 28 more days of the same combination of treatments she was on before, which is Vesanoid and Arsenic Trioxide (drip). The hospital stay couldn't be avoided, unfortunately. This time, she will have the treatments M-F/off Saturdays and Sundays. Another bone marrow biopsy will be performed at the conclusion of that round. Her doctor tried very hard to figure out a way to keep her out of the hospital this time. For her safety, though, he needs her there in order to continually monitor her heart. 

Mom's not thrilled with this news, however, she's grateful there's still an option to get rid of this stuff. She's planning what to pack for her second stay and swears it will be much less than the loads we brought home.  We'll keep you updated on that. Please continue praying and sending your support. 

God is bigger. He is not surprised by this. And He is still good, no matter what.