AML: Round 10:Week 2 - My new chemo

Tuesday was Jonah''s 2nd Birthday.   Andy brought cake and presents and we spent a little time together Tuesday night.  Layla also had her 2nd birthday in the hospital with me, though that was a few years ago. 

It's been 2 weeks since I started treatment again.  There is not much to tell at this point.  As far as I can tell the chemo is doing its job.   My counts have fallen as they should.   I have received platelets and red blood transfusions.  More platelets today some time. 

I'm not working, so time is passing really slow.  I am getting lots of visitors this time though, so that helps a lot.  The highlight of the week is on Tuesdays and Fridays when Doris comes and gives massages.  Wish it was more then twice a week. 

So a bit about my treatment this time....

The chemo I received (Clofarabine) is a bit different from anything I've done in the past.  As I understand it, they have not used it here before, at least not in AML patients.  I received a high dose once a day for 5 days.  Interestingly, my last dose was a little lighter because of hurricane Sandy.  They couldn't get my full dose in from the east coast. 

Generally this particular chemo is used in pediatric (ages 1-21) ALL patients but they are trying it on AML patients that have relapsed following other treatments.   At this point there is no standard protocol for treating me.  I've relapsed too many times and the stem cell transplant didn't work. 

I don't know at this time what my entire treatment plan is.  I am assuming we'll do another round of this chemo again.  I am just hoping the timing doesn't put me back in here over Christmas.  

I have another bone marrow biopsy on Friday (tomorrow) and we  do know that the Leukemia cells (blasts) are no longer detectible in my blood stream.  So preliminary indicators point that my Leukemia is once again in remission, but that has usually been easy for us to achieve.  Keeping me there is the tough part. 

I feel fine for the most part.  Tired on the days my counts are really low, better after transfusions.  No pain, no nausea.  Optimistically I will be out by Thanksgiving.