My CML Circle Drug CO-PAY Assistance Program

Hello everyone. Me again.

I wanted to pass on some great news I have just found out about. I was recently contacted, via this blog, by Rachelle L., who wanted to provide information on behalf of Novartis Oncology about a program they have to offer.


The My CML Circle Co-pay Assistance Program provides support for patients throughout their Ph+ CML treatment by providing a co-pay assistance card to eligible patients who are currently taking GLEEVEC (imatinib mesylate) and/or TASIGNA (nilotinib). In addition to receiving co-pay assistance for these treatments, My CML Circle Co-pay Assistance Program also provides regular updates on Ph+ CML treatment and healthy living, along with information on topics like managing side effects and tips for communicating with your doctor.

For more information or to enroll, please visit www.mymclcircle.com or call toll-free at 1-877-966-2745.

The longest cold ever

Well I was able to hold on to that cold/bug for a month and add bronchitis, even with ten days of antibiotics and an inhaler. Last week alone I saw three different doctors, went to five appointments between the Air Force Academy hospital and the oncologist clinic at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers. I had three chest x-rays, three and a half liters of fluid via IV, three blood tests and one cardio echo gram. Tests were negative so the consensus was that I was tired and winded because of dehydration (I had 8 days of diarrhea too), which was the reason for the fluids.

Anyway, I am starting to feel much better now, thank you for asking. I started feeling better after 8 days on the antibiotics. We figure it has taken so long because of the suppressed immune system. I am still feeling very winded just from walking up stairs to a slight incline on walks with my son to school. That should correct itself with time. And the important bit; I am still in remission. Thank God for all you donors out there, although we could always use more. Tell your friends to sign up and save a life. We recipients appreciate it and so do our families.

So I am now scheduled for a colonoscopy for next Wednesday. It was supposed to be two weeks ago but I had to postpone because of the cold/bug. This procedure is to check for GVHD of the GI tract to make sure I am not flaring up again. The symptoms have been diarrhea and some nausea.

Other than that I have been keeping busy with my graduate studies. It has been difficult with the GVHD of the eyes and fatigue but I am hanging in there. I have already registered for my next course, which when finished will mean a graduate certification in Homeland Security. These credits also go towards the M.S. in Computer Systems Management with concentration in Information Assurance.

Well that's it for now. Thanks for staying updated.

David

The Nasty Common Cold

Since my last posting, I received lab results from the doctor in Internal Medicine. He phoned to tell me my iron levels were low so I am now taking iron supplements. He also ordered a colonoscopy, which was supposed to have been last Friday, except that I have a cold so they postponed the procedure until the 18th March. I have had this terrible cold for over two weeks now and just haven't been able to shake it, despite several days in bed. So today I went to the Air Force Academy to be seen in the Acute Care clinic. I am finding that where most people would be given cold meds and sent home, I have been tested and prodded a bit more, just to be safe. So another chest x-ray and blood work didn't indicate anything out of the ordinary. My blood pressure was very low though, which the doctor contributed to dehydration. I have had diarrhea for the past three days and I have been so tired, to the point it can be hard to breath. After a liter and a half of fluids in an IV and I felt better. That is until this evening when I deposited that liquid as quickly as I took it in. Anyway, the doctor has given me an anti-biotic and an inhaler for the cold and wheezy chest. I hope to feel their benefits within a day or two.

I have my monthly oncology appointment scheduled for this Thursday so I will discuss the possibility that the chronic gvhd is coming back to my gut. I think it fits because just a week ago I finished the taper off of Budesinide, which is a steroid that helps the lower GI system.

My mouth sores have been hurting a lot lately as well. No help from the suppressed immune system which has been squashed even more with the cold. But for some good news, it would appear that my eyes are getting a bit better. Maybe the increase in tacrolimus is helping combat the gvhd.

I hope you are all well.

David