Howdy all--
Sorry some of you have not received any news concerning my health status for a while. I've kinda been busy. So here's the latest:
White Blood Cells (which should be no higher than 10,000) peaked at 110,000 on 11/3. In Houston at the M.D. Anderson Center to see a CML expert (Dr. Frank Giles) on 11/22, I learned that I was in Hematologic Remission--my WBC's were in the normal range--6,600. I also had a bone marrow biopsy there (if you have a choice between that and going to Disney World, I'd suggest choosing the latter). Giles said that he fully expects me to obtain Cytogenic Remission--when no evidence of the Philidelphia Chromosome can be found in my body--within a year's time. Once I'm there, the longer I stay in cytogenic remission, the better (after 2 years, the chance of a relapse is only 10%). WHY is he so confident? We caught it relatively early, I'm young and in unusually good health, and I responded to the treatments so quickly.
In the meantime, I will continue on Gleevec--500mg a day--down from 600mg a day because my last blood work on 11/30 showed my WBC's BELOW normal. Also, I have been suffering from a common side effect of the drug--bone, joint, and muscle pain which make me hurt all the time. The lower dosage should help. The docs also want me to consider a drug call Procrit or Epogen--EPO to those of you familiar with cycling--because my hematocrit/hemoglobin/RBC's have dropped by about 35% since May. Basically, I can't get any oxygen in my bloodstream. Kinda makes aerobic exercise difficult. Thing is, I avoided the temptation of drug use throughout my cycling career, so I really don't want to start now. So if I appear to be suffering like a dog while leading up the rear of the race, you'll know why.
And, yes, I said race. I plan to have a 2005 season. I don't know the specific schedule, but I have some goals forming in my head. And seeing as I'm currently 2/3 the athlete I use to be, I don't know whether or not I'll reach them all. But I do plan to show everyone that Leukemia survivors can train and compete and race against other triathletes as well as we can against death. I'll wear a Livestrong wrist band at every competition I do and then give it to the race director--I want to raise awareness and create support--that motivation alone is enough to make me find the finish line faster. Will I find it first ever again?
I wouldn't bet against me.
--Andrew
PS--The gratitude I have for all those who have supported me and Diana through this ordeal can never be adequately expressed. That being said, I have three more favors to ask of everyone who's heard my story. Keep Di and me in your prayers--we're not out of the woods yet. Second, pass this note along to anyone I may have forgotten or may be interested. And, most importantly, visit
http://www.marrow.org/HELP/join_the_registry.html and consider giving someone the possibility of hope. It's sometimes the only thing that keeps us going.
