[cam & sami's mom]

We're home - at least for a brief time. His counts were recovering nicely, so we got to come home for a while. We have to go in for labs on Thursday and 2x next week. Next week, he'll also have to have various other preparatory tests done like bone marrow aspiration, echo, sinus ct, etc for the transplant. The outcome of the tests will determine the intensity of the pre-transplant tx. If there is any organ damage from all the chemo he has had, he'll have a lower intensity chemo to prepare/wipe out all wbc. If there is no, or very little damage, he'll have 3 days of whole body radiation in addition to some chemo to hopefully track down & destroy any lingering leukemia cells that might be hidden in his marrow. Also, he'll become part of a study of a new medication (mylotog) that specifically targets C34 leukemia cells (which he shows markers for). This treatment is given after his counts recover after transplant. He'll have 3-4 doses over a several month period. Apparently this medication only targets the C34 cells - it has no effect on healthy cells and patients who receive this do not even experience hair loss. The main drawback for using it is the potential for long-term kidney problems. It is less effective when it is given when there are a lot of leukemia cells because it "goes for the easy ones" and does not always get those that are hiding.

I'll update again as things progress. Thanks for your continued thoughts & prayers.

[HangingInThere]

Glad to hear you are home. I pray that he has any easy time with treatment and that you hear good news soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Melanie0507]

My continued thoughts and prayers are with Cameron and your entire family. I hope his pre-op testing goes well. Please KUP

[Danica]

Thank you so much for the update. I am constantly thinking of Cameron. You are a real stong mom and he is lucky to have you. Your family continues to be in my thoughts and prayers. I hope the transplant goes smoothly and that the new drug does exactly what it is supposed to. HUGS

[victorialv]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please keep us updated.

Hi hun, keeping you in my heart and prayers. Your little ones are absolutely adorable! I pray that everything will go smoothly and as planned.

[keekopeeko]

Thank you so much for the update. I am constantly thinking of Cameron. You are a real stong mom and he is lucky to have you. Your family continues to be in my thoughts and prayers. I hope the transplant goes smoothly and that the new drug does exactly what it is supposed to. HUGS[/b]

I ditto this statement comepletely...

Enjoy your time home together!

~Em

[luvmygirls]

I will be thinking of you guys!

[*Judy*]

You are always in my prayers!!! I hope all goes well and the new medicine will work.