Got the phone call the other day I’ve been dreading. My oncologist called and said my blood work showed some abnormalities and off counts and I needed to come in for more testing. I knew what he was trying to tell me; the leukemia is back. Sad to say, the news is not really easier to hear the third time around. I wasn’t in total remission, only induction remission this time so it was a slightly easier let down this time though.
I’ve already started a new induction cocktail. DVP + M this time around. Daunorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisone, and Methotrexate. I go to Roswell Park once a week for the Daunorubicin and Vincristine IV’s and take the Prednisone and Methotrexate at home. I’m also continuing regular plasma, platelets, and red cell transfusions to keep my energy levels up.
I made a few new little friends this past week during chemo. I usually try to sneak down to the peds unit for chemo. I feel more comfortable down there. 23 is a hard age to get cancer at. Everyone in the chemo room with you is like twice your age, not much to talk about, and generally they don’t want to talk to you. So I sneak down (don’t worry, I don’t really sneak down there, I’m usually followed by a nurse or two) to the peds end and hang out there with some of the teenagers and younger kids. You can learn so much from them! My new little friend is named Kyle and he’s from Toronto. His mom brings him to Rowsell once a week for outpatient chemo. Kyle had a bone marrow transplant a little over a year ago and relapsed a few months ago. His mom brings him all the way to Roswell because she said it’s the best cancer hospital she’s ever taken him too and he loves it here. I agree. Roswell rocks!
Well I must be getting off to class now, will write more later, I have so much to say!
Posted in Cancer Treatment, Medical
