Gleevec vs Heart Failure, My 2 cents(long winded)

July 26, 2006

When I started Gleevec over three years ago, it was a new drug,

knowing that all the details of side effects weren't out yet, I chose

to take my bull by the ring and ride that puppy. That being said, I

still want to know all they find. I want to know that perhaps I need

to be tested for CHF, bladder CA and so forth. I'm not giving up on

Gleevec, just arming myself for future finds. I was given 3-5 years

w/o Gleevec, and I am at 3 and doing great, had gastric bypass to

help further that along and live healthier.....boy did I have some

risks to consider. Gleevec has given me life that I thought was gone

on that fateful day in 2003 when they said Leukemia. I'm not scared

of the side effects of Gleevec, I am however concerned with the side

effects of blast crisis. CHF can be handled and can be monitored,

many people live with it for many years, and by golly, I can add

something else to my list. I know that as my treatment with Gleevec

progresses so will potential side effects, as the pioneers near 10

years on the medication, more adverse effects will come out and there

will be more for us to monitor. Each medication we take has these

nasty side effects, some more toxic than others. We are adding

foreign substances to the perfect body we were given to change the

things we have found to be flawed, do we expect perfection again? I

don't, I just hope for MORE! I still continue to live by " fear is an

option, the unknown a given " I get through each day this way and

find myself relatively happy. To each new side effect of Gleevec,

Dasatinib and Sprycel that they discover.......we can handle them

all, we have persevered through the darkest days and will make it

through the potholes in our therapy. Without the therapy.....NO

potholes, no 20 or more years. Faith allows me to pray... " Tell me

all you discover docs and keep me in the know, and help me become a

healthier CML patient and person with each added discovery and find.

My cousin, great uncle and Great granddad will all be watching over

me as I fight the fight they lost, and will be on my side wishing me

well "

My head is not in the sand, I watch and read everything on Gleevec

and CML, I just choose to stay calm and ride it out and move on to

the next wonderful thing to come along. I will monitor my heart, and

my bladder, and my thiamine, and my other essential Vitamins(gastric

bypass related). I tell you, I'm going to end up being the one of

the healthiest CMLers there is, can't lose for winning!

Love you all! Keep up the good fight and stay positive! We all have

great things in stored for us and wonderful researchers researching.

It never ENDS!

Amy B......on her soap box.

Recommended Posts