Chemo Cycle Two

August 11

I'm mid-way through the second round of out-patient chemo. I had four days this week (Tuesday through Friday, as Monday was a holiday), and I have three more days next week, Monday through Wednesday. Then I'm off until after Labour Day.

As before, it's stomach injections of Vidaza (brand name; the 'real' name is Azicitidine), with two each day. Side effects are incredible fatigue, major muscle aches, mouth sores, skin irritation and redness, etc. Not very pleasant to be sure, but still better than being in hospital.

When I met with my doctor last month she confirmed the donor match, but said she wants to complete at least three rounds of the chemo (i.e. last month, this month, and September) before checking status. Then we'll get yet another bone marrow biopsy to determine the state of the cells. If progress is being made, another three to six months of chemo will be done until I'm ready for the transplant. If little progress has been made, then another plan will be required.