It’s been just over a month since my last bone marrow aspiration at CHOP, and tomorrow I will have another one to determine whether or not those funny-looking cells were actually leukemia. I’m dreading it and looking forward to it at the same time. I hate not knowing, but I’m not sure I want the answer.
Last month, the doctors thought they saw 0.97% MRD, which is at the molecular level and can’t be seen under a microscope. Technically, this is still clinical remission since it’s less than 5% blasts. If the results from tomorrow’s test show I’m still in clinical remission (or very close), I will stay at Drexel for the rest of the term and reevaluate in December. If the leukemia is growing quickly, I will start the process for another CART treatment next week, this time at NIH since the CHOP study isn’t open yet. If by some miracle the tests show that the funny looking cells from last month were really just baby cells, apparently I’ll be doing cartwheels across campus (and yes, I’ll make sure someone takes a picture if this happens). I should have the results by early next week. Academically, I’ve been planning for the possibility of missing the end of the term. Socially, I’ve been ignoring it and getting involved as if I’m staying. I was going to drop a class because 18 credits is a lot of work, but the class I wanted to drop is online. I decided to keep it because it’s one I should be able to continue no matter what happens medically. I have two online classes that I’d definitely be able to keep, and I’d see what I can work out with the four that are on campus since I’m halfway through the term and I don’t want to throw that work away. I’m still feeling great and have no symptoms whatsoever so it’s a bit overwhelming to spend my free time filling out medical forms and talking to the doctors. I’m enjoying my classes though and my roommates and the few friends I still have here have been extremely supportive. Your positive thoughts and prayers for tomorrow’s test are more appreciated than ever. I’m doing one of my projects for class on the importance of social support for cancer patients. I read a journal article the other day about all the different types of social support that participants found important and I realized how lucky I am to have every spot filled by not just one but multiple people. As always, if you’re looking for a real way to help not just me but other patients, give life: donate blood or join the bone marrow registry. I love you all.
1 Comment
Irma Chazotte
10/14/2015 11:32:55 pm
You've got my vote! I'm so in awe of your courage, positivity, and living in the momentness. Sending thoughts and prayers your way.
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AuthorI’m Karen. I was originally diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in August 2004 when I was 10 years old. When I was working on my college and scholarship application essays two years ago, I wrote about my journey. Although it was a rough few years, it became such an influential part of my life that I can’t, and wouldn’t want to, imagine my life without having had cancer. I called it the worst best thing that ever happened to me. Archives
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