Journal

Wow, it's been quite a while since I've been on this website, so I thought I would update my journal.  I'm doing well on Gleevec for the most part.  My WBC is now at 4,000 and all my other counts are in line with what they are suppose to be.  The only # that is out of wack is my White EOS count. Why that is elevated is unknown right now.  It might be due to my allergies and asthma, which I have had for years.  The weird thing is it wasn't elevated before.  The doc wants to keep an eye on that, so he has me coming in for monthly visits right now.  Next blood test will include my iron counts, which I'm glad he is doing because I'm still a bit tired and yet my hemoglobin is good.  For the most part, he is very happy with how well I'm doing on Gleevec.....it's only been 5-months.  I have been getting bad cramps in my feet and calves and that could be a side affect from the Gleevec...wow can  they be painful.  Other than the drama with my work and with my daughter's job.....life is pretty good right now.  Hopefully things will calm down.  I'm off to the Philadelphia Phillies game today....hopefully the game will get in between the crappy showers (I'm really sick of the rain we have been getting) and hopefully Moyer (pitcher) gets his 250th career win today!  Go Phils.  I hope my friends at DS are all doing well with the CML treatments.  Til my next update....Take Care.

This is an update on my doctor visit this past Thursday.  Well, after being on Gleevec for four months, all my counts are good and the doctor is very pleased with my response to the Gleevec. My platelets are a little low, but he isn't concerned about that, as he believes the counts will now start to go up because from the other numbers, it seems like the bone marrow is now starting to produce good cells.  My white count is 4,700 and the lowest it should be is 4,300...the highest number is 10,000.  If that drops below 4,000, then he needs to make adjustments, but he thinks that since the bone marrow is starting to produce good cells, that number will now start to rise.  There was one other white cell count that was a bit elevated, but he told me allergies can do that, so he wasn't concerned about that either.  The thing he is concerned about is the diarrhea I've been having. Some days are worse than others, so the doctor thinks it may be diet related....something I'm eating that is interacting with the Gleevec.  So for one month, he wants me to write everything down that I eat and see if we can pin point what is causing the diarrhea. I've also been a little "extra" tired the past two-three weeks and I thought maybe I was anemic, but my Hemoglobin is good.  He told me that I cannot overdo it because it will take me 2-3 days to recover because my bone marrow is not making the normal amount of good cells yet and therefore, I should rest when I need rest and try not to overdo it.  Well, as we all know...that is easier said than done.  Anyway, I go back to the doc in one month and have my bloodwork done again before that appointment.  Overall, I guess this was a good visit.  We will see what next month brings, but I'm staying positive and how can't I be positive when I'm reading entries of people who have been dealing with this for 10+ years.  How wonderful that is!!!

Well, it's been awhile since my last entry.  I'm feeling pretty good, but I have alot of anxiety over this CML.  I guess it's because I'm not to see the doc until March, but everyday I think about this disease and wonder if my counts are ok, etc.  I've started taking flax seed everyday to help with the bowel problems that the Gleevec was causing.  That definately seems to be better.  I really don't have any other side affects taking the Gleevec...a little bit of the swollen eyes in the morning yet, but that's even getting better.  I really have alot to be thankful for, but that black cloud just constantly hangs over my head and it really gets to me sometimes.  I'm trying to stay positive and my friends and family help me out with that.  Well I hope all my friends at Daily Strength are doing well.  Hugs to them all!