Could it be from the Methotrexate?
Hugs....Sandra

Warrior,

It is hard to guess what those things are, but I really would put my money on them NOT being related to leukemia. You may have had some skin inflammation in the course of your treatment and now they are hyperpigmented for a while (will fade). You need to show them to your doctor, but I think that his/her words will be more reassurance than anything else.

Cliff

I cannot recall of any such metastasis that anyone has reported on this list in the past five years. If anything I would think this might be a side effect of the chemo and perhaps some other medication that you are now on. I know how you feel -- I had a throat issue late in my treatment that I was convinced was some metastasis, but a specialist quickly dismissed it as being acid reflux. It is no fun to worry, but just try to think positive thoughts and get into as many other things as you can to distract you. Tuesday will be here before you know it. -- daveB

Warrior,

There is a Facebook group called "Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD)" And I recently saw pictures of something like you described on a lady's legs. Her doc indicated it was GVHD of the skin. Definitely show the doc. Let us know what he says.

I was thinking the same thing lora, I have gvhd of the skin but not to that extreme. I also thought of the shingles, I know my np has been hesitant to take me off the Acyclovir because she is afraid I will get shingles once off it. Warrioremm, I'm glad to hear that you are doing well otherwise, you are in my prayers. Please let us know how it turns out.
DaveJ

I hope you guys are right because if it is GvHD that is a whole lot better than some metastasis. Of course, it could be a side effect of one of the meds as well. We continue to pray for the best. -- daveB

Drs think they found one atypical cell in my csf also. A senior pathologist looked at it and said it wasn't that atypical. Everything else was fine. I cried entire way home because it's so scary to hear that something is wrong. My dr felt no need to recheck csf and we started radiation as planned. I'm still concerned though. Let us know what you find out today. Good luck. Prayers are with you.

Here is my update which may help you: my dr called and explain d that my atypical cell (or cells but very very few) were reactive lymphocytes. A lymphocytes job is to attack foreign material. I have an Ommya pump in my head and I've had lots of chemo. My dr and the pathologist who has looked at all of my csf samples agree that these atypical cells are due to either the pump or chemo. All my other levels (protein, wbc) were fine. No blasts. She said that reactive lymphocytes in a healthy (not going thru treatment) person may indicate meningitis if anything. For me, it's likely from chemo. She assured me of no relapse or any evidence of cancer. I feel much better and I hope you get similar good news!! Nobody told me what a roller coaster ride cancer can be. It's really hard isn't it?!? Thank God we have each other for support!

Thank you all for your responses. The extra testing on the "atypical cells" apparently didn't work bc there weren't enough cells to look at or they couldn't get a signal to test. Something like that. So, my doctor still doesn't know if they are anything to be concerned about.

Thank you for your update, Tammy. Your situation is so similar to mine, down to the normal WBC and protein levels. I don't think my doctor is too worried about it based on that. I think he also believes the "atypical cells" could be from the chemo. He doesn't want me to have any more intrathecal chemo for now. He wants me to meet with a neuro-oncologist to see if we should try craniospinal radiation. He still keeps saying that he can "cure" me. And he doesn't throw that term around lightly. I just feel like everything is one step forward two steps back for me. Yes, it is such a roller coaster.

I would've left my visit w/ him today feeling pretty good. No news is good news, right? However, he was concerned about the lesions on my abdomen and back and immediately sent me to a dermatologist who biopsied one of the lesions. He wants to rule out leukemia cutis. I guess leukemia can show up in the skin. But he thinks it's either that or an infection/reaction to the chemo. I'm praying that it's from the chemo. Also praying that all results will be fine and that I won't need radiation. I know if that's the best treatment for me I will have to do it. But I'm a 25 year old woman who finally has her hair back and really hates to lose it for a third time. I know that sounds silly, but again, I'm a 25 year old woman. Thanks for everyone's continued support and feedback!

Thanks for the update. Don't feel bad about wanting your hair back. I'm 45 and used to have this beautiful dark hair down to my bra strap. Now I find myself admiring other's hair a lot. :-/

Hey -- if we are down to thinking about our hair -- that cannot be bad. :o)

Don't blame your doctor -- theoretically there is no cure for cancer -- it goes into remission hopefully for the rest of your (and my) life. Effectively that is a cure for all intents and purposes, but the cannot SAY that. If they did it would be misleading and perhaps unprofessional. So please do not worry about the cure word not being used ... I would be very skeptical of any "doctor" who claimed he could -- in most case its the quacks and the charlatins that claim such things.

Great news the skin thing was not cancer -- although sounds like they want to do more tests to be totally sure -- that is good to. Definitely need to nail it down. When they do for sure please let us know. Lots of others might run inito this same thing.

As for abnormal cells -- well, I cannot believe it they looked hard enough they would find them in all of us -- so if it is just a few I would not worry -- especially if they find it once but cannot find it again. All of my RBCs are twice the size they should be and have weird shapes. My onc feels like it is best to just wait and see. Hey, it has worked for over five years now -- that is five more than I thought I would have -- I am going for another five right now. Hope you will join me -- dave

Dave,

Your attitude is so admirable. Why can't we all think and act like you?

Cliff

Thanks Cliff -- I am glad you are back with us - we missed you a little while ago when you took a little hiatus.

This got me to thinking about some research I have been doing into genetics recently. It is hard to believe but we have about 50 trillion cells in our body (some say more). It is impossible that some of them don't get "abnormal." In fact, they are being assaulted by radiation, chemical reactions (internal and external) and several other things literally "all the time." (That is usually used hyperbolically, but not so here.) So, these cells get smashed -- at least 10,000 wounds per cell per day -- but since each cell contains 6 billion pieces of information, percentagewise this is a small number. Further, our DNA contains agents that are constantly busy repairing these wounds. If you want to be amazed go to YouTube and search on "DNA repair." Then tell me there is no God. It is sort of like you are going down the highway and have a flat tire. You pull off to the side and don't call anyone -- don't have to because they are already on the way with exactly the size tire you need, and like the pit road crew, you are back on the road within 30 seconds. Not really a good analogy -- it is much more amazing than that.

Anyway -- we are all living with defective cells -- lots of them. As long as they do not reproduce out of control, they really pose no problem.

Hope this helps -- dave

PS -- if you want the documentation for this, it is here:

http://www.biblethought.net/cancer-and-evolution.html

Scroll on down the page -- I think there are three or four articles on that one page. Interesting stuff -- I give the links to the sources -- stuff that I sure could not make up in my wildest dreams.

Dave and cliff,

You both are very gifted at taking complex concepts and making them palatable for we layman's. Cliff, as a md, this ability is most apparent from a medical perspective both relative to dx/jargon but also explaining the importance of understanding medical teams philosophy. Dave, your gift is both pragmatic and spiritual in nature. Your ability to break down the mysteries of our creation and our cellular activities to a sermon inspire me.

I encourage all on ds to subscribe to Dave's bible thoughts list so you can receive this inspiration on a routine basis.

I am blessed by you both always

Julie

Warrior,

Never apologize about thinking of your hair, your appearance or any other element any human may think of. We are here for you, never to judge. I am twice your age and like Lora had hair down to the middle of my back. It came back thick and super super curly. You have dealt with fast more than most here especially myself and your warrior mentality had inspired me. I'm praying for you and Good knows the number of hairs on your head and cares for you

Blessing
Julie