May 22 Update

Dear Fods,

This is just a quick update on the visit to HUP yesterday. Debbie will begin an outpatient clinical trial next Thursday. For those that are interested it is called a "Phase I/II Study of MGCD0103 with Azacitidine (Vidaza) in Patients with AML." While Vidaza has been around for a while the MGCD0103 is a new drug (hence no name) that has shown promise in reinvigorating cancer suppressing genes. The idea is for these reawakened genes to do their job and fight the cancer. This clinical trial is being run at HUP and a number of other cancer centers (MD Anderson, USC, etc.). There were 2 seats left in the study yesterday and we expect that Debbie will get one of them.

The regime will not be easy and we will need to go to HUP for 7 days in a row for the Vidaza shots and Penn Home Infusion will come to the house on weekends. The MGCD0103 is a pill that is taken 3 times weekly for a 28 day cycle. Then the cycle repeats. Debbie will go through 2-3 cycles and we will see what effects this regime will have on her leukemia. BTW -- Porter told us that the last BMB shows that Debbie's cells are 40% leukemic! Remarkably, her counts are normal and strong.

Because of Debbie's strong counts, Porter thought that this clinical trial gives Debbie a better option than another round of induction chemotherapy at HUP. It will certainly give her more comfort and control (being at home) over the summer months. If she does not react well to the treatment, induction chemotherapy always remains an option. Unfortunately, the procedure will require monthly BMB's (ouch!) but Porter agreed to do them for Debbie.

We will start this regime next Thursday. Days 5 and 7 are supposed to be long days because they will need to do additional tests at certain times after the drug is administered. Debbie asked them to delay starting the procedure so we could have Memorial Day at the shore.

We will keep you posted on the progress.

Debbie sends her love to all.

Here We Go Again...

So the results are in: Mom's Leukemia is back. We all KNEW this in our head but it is different to hear that it is a fact. Mom follows up with Dr. Porter next Tuesday to discuss next steps. We suspect his line of treatment for relapse will be the most aggressive: re-induction chemo. He had recommended another transplant months ago in hopes of a cure but after the last experience Mom (and the rest of us) did not think it was an option. The induction chemo is the chemo regimen Mom endured in Dec 2005 with a delayed positive result. Her and my dad have some thinking to do. It is a minimum six week hospital stay. It was ugly the first time around and Mom was much stronger. I know in my heart that whatever decision Mom makes, it will be the right one for her and we'll all stand by her side. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. I was just saying to someone today that we were given an entire YEAR longer than what was previously projected for Mom with her dismal diagnosis. We've been blessed countless times and this helps us remember that anything is possible. Keep the faith and we'll check in after Mom's visit next week.

Love,

Jessie

Beach Photos

Hello everyone,

We all enjoyed our time at the Resort at Singer Island, near Palm Beach, Florida. Mom's shingles are healing still and we anticipate another bone marrow biopsy during her visit with Dr. Porter tomorrow. Mom's been having fevers and other suspicious symptoms regularly now since we returned from Florida last week. Please keep up the prayers for mom's visit to HUP tomorrow. We will keep you posted as we learn more.

In the meantime, here are a few photos from our beach escape. :)