Thanks Doc,
During my treatment for leukemia I actually had a substantial benefit from a treatment delay. Originally I was scheduled for 8 courses of chemo, but after the fourth course my catheter became very infected and treatment was halted while they worked on the infection which took several weeks. I was put on Gleevec at that time, and during the time spoke to both UCLA and City of Hope about stem cells after the chemo. I chose City of Hope as cancer was all they treated there and it just felt right, but at both places they expressed the belief that all courses of chemo might not be necessary. By the time the infection cleared, COH indicated we'd continue purely on the oral chemo, Gleevec or other newed drugs, and watch the outcome.
Each of the chemos brought my counts down dramatically, and on some occasions no blasts could be see, but on the next check they could. My percentages were down to a small fraction of 1% but still sometimes they were there. They determined I was ready for transplant, but in that my counts bobbled before it, my Dr. doesn't feel confident about taking me off chemo, so I might be on it the remainder of my life. Perhaps at some time they'll come up with something with lesser side effects, but for now my most acceptable side effects have been with Sprycel. Occasionally my Dr. doesn't mind me taking a few days off for special occasions, and when I've had time in the hospital they frequently didn't have the drug, but if I was going to be there awhile, it was brought from home.
I've often thought that unplanned time off treatment may have benefits, sometimes it's just a matter of getting some extra home cooking that makes you feel better. I frankly did lose weight while in the hospital, but I seriously wonder if it was caused by the chemo, or how unappetizing the food was not only in taste, but also when attempting to eat it off a tray while in a hospital bed. I really wonder if people are permitted to walk and socialize with other patients if meals wouldn't be better if served to those who wished in something more like a cafeteria.
One suggestion I made that both Doctors and nurses loved was putting bidet toilet seats in all hospital bathrooms. I fortunately rarely needed that much help, but I know the staff often had to clean up after patients. A bidet toilet seat would have done the job as well or better and been more sanitary. At home I have an old fashioned bidet and I'll credit it with preventing problems, especially some that would be caused by the chemo I take. If I didn't have it, I'd be investing in the bidet toilet seat.
Gary
