In November 2007, I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). Although I responded well to Gleevec, a relatively new “miracle drug,” and within weeks entered a partial remission, it also became apparent that this partial remission would not be durable. Because of the advanced phase of my CML, and the near certainty that my leukemia would shortly return, stronger and more aggressive than before, my doctors recommended that I undergo a bone marrow/stem cell transplant (SCT) on an urgent basis. After much consideration, and an abortive attempt to do the transplant at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, I decided to have my transplant at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. This blog picks up the story of my SCT, starting in March 2008.
March 7, 2008 at 7:51 am
Hi Roger, I just received the link from your mother; we all hope that everything will go well with your treatment. Best wishes from all of us in Neu-Isenburg: Astrid, Wolfgang, Lukas (both of whom you haven’t met – yet) – formerly Hans-Georg – and Hans (my father, whom you met).
June 6, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Roger and Lisa – I’m endeavoring to stay abreast of your progress. I’ll admit that the terms and procedures are more than a bit confusing, but it is evident that hope abounds. Your attitude is awesome! Anyway, wanted you both to know you weren’t forgotten, and we continue to cover you in prayer. Hang in there.
Oh, just FYI, but for some reason Kansas beats Cairo hands down.
Jeff
June 12, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Roger,
We are summer residents of Middlebury. We are friends of your mother, whom we met some twenty years ago when we rented the Flowers’ house next door to your mother’s
house. I think we may have met you and/or Caleb at a hamburger cookout at the house further up the hill. Anyway, we had a good conversation with your mother yesterday, we we want to wish you good success with your stem cell transplant starting the 16th. Your mother sometimes attends Patty’s Spanish conversation course at the Ilsley Library in Middlebury.
Arnold & Patty Penuel
Arnold & Patty Penuel