Connie and Her Chromosomes

Back on August 5th when they drew many, many tubes of blood from Connie, we were told some tests would be sent to the U of W and would take some time to get back. Because we knew the single most important prognostic factor in AML is cytogenetics, or the chromosomal structure of the leukemic cell, we have been ‘patiently’ waiting to get the results on this test. Well – we sort of got some news today, not bad news and not good news. Apparently Connie’s results came back with something ‘rare’ or something that did not match the pattern they normally see. I could try to get into more Chromosomal information but it would not mean much to you as it did not to any of us either. Bottom line is they are running more tests and they will ‘hopefully’ have more information for us in another week. Her treatment stays the same and she is tolerating, very large doses of Chemo amazingly well. We are still looking for a zero blood count (of all Leukemic cells, and unfortunately the good cells also) around August 21st. This remains the goal.