I can't answer your question. My son did not have any specific cytogenetic abnormalities. Just wanted to say I am thinking of you. Your counts look fantastic! Julian will have his 6 month follow up next Wednesday. I don't know why, but I've been more anxious this month. You would think it would be less and less, but he's a little boy and gets a lot of little bruises from running around and playing. None of them are suspicious looking though. Thinking positive thoughts for both of you! God Bless,
Jacki

Thank you Jackie. I so understand your concerns with bruises. I hate them. I still have two large bruises on the back of my calves that I've had since dx 15 months ago. Crazy. When I get a new one I stress, in fact my three daughters are always checking my legs for new ones.

Having a child with cancer or any life threatening illness has got to be absolutely daunting. My heart just aches at the mere thought. I am so blessed that you've stayed with us. Your perspective it's priceless. I'm praying for you and your son, I'm sure those are normal little boy bruises.

Julie

your numbers are looking good Julie.

Mum was always prone to bruising really easy (dad couldn't even touch her or she would bruise).... funny now with all we know about platelets that most likely she always must have had low platelets

In relation to the Inverstion 16 sorry I have no idea as they don't even test for that down here :) .... when mum was first diagnosed I had lots of questions which I had from this group and they don't even test for them

xoxo

Hi Julie
Great numbers! I have heard if this, Tonys doc was going to run a PCR test (very sensitive blood trst) at Marchs appointment to check for any inv 16 or abnormalities. We never had the test done bc that's when his counts dropped so we did a bmbx instead. With numbers like yours, I would not worry!!!

Thanks all,

I spoke with my coordinator yesterday about this test and admitted that it's use is controversial because many will show positive for the chromosomal issue-Inversion 16, 8:21 translocation ect and NOT relapsed. I asked what would be the way forward if I tested positive and she said we'd test you again in a month and so on. At one point they may even marrow me but the BMB may also show positive for Inversion 16 w/o a relapse. So the begging question is why do it-no real explanation so I have decided to do my best to ignore it-yeah right!!!!

I will keep you posted as I hope this info may help others who experience the same in the future.

As for my counts this month, the fact that my platelets dropped from 120 to 103 has me somewhat concerned but I am focusing on the increase in WBC and ANC AND re-reading Mathew 6.

God Bless you all

Julie

Praise Almighty God-my Inversion 16 test on my peripheral blood came back negative!!! I am still bruising but they seem to resolve normally. My next labs are on the 21st.

Julie

Thank God Julie!!!!! Great news

GREAT news Julie -- they have not done any tests on me other than normal blood tests since I recovered from my last chemo. I guess it depends on how aggressive they want to be. There is such a thing as being too aggressive. I would expect if they looked hard enough they could find some problem in any of us that we could live our normal lives out with no problem at all. I am convinced that if I have a relapse, I will be the first one to know it and will go in to the UAB hospital and get them to verify it. I asked for more tests but they said they were not needed. Perhaps its my age and they are thinking there is not that much they could do for me anyway. Ah -- I will outlive them all -- dave

I'm so happy for you and your family, those girls will know thier mom and know your love and guidance for them and thier children when the time comes. Good things do indeed come to good people.

DaveJ

Julie

I am so happy for you and your family.

Karen

That's great news, Julie! It's nice to see you doing so well and I can't wait to be able to say the same for my sister. Your an inspiration, thanks for the posts.

Debbie