Treatment Cycle 2 of 6, labs, Dr. visit

This past Thursday was full of good news. Labs continue to show now steady platelets, still below normal, but excellent as far as progress and reducing the fear and anxiety that came with the initial labs. Dr. S said Eric is doing much better than they expected in terms of his labs and his response to the treatment. He has now begun the second drug, venetoclax, an oral drug to be taken daily for a year. The biggest concern here, and it’s a very large concern, is kidney function. The drug comes with a requirement to drink 56 oz. of water a day to keep hydrated, to keep the kidneys functioning, and to avoid dialysis. Because of the potentecy and the potential side effects, the dosage is ramped up every week until the full dosage amount begins in the fourth week and that’s where it will remain for the following 11 months, assuming kidney function remains good.

We have had a cruise booked for almost a year and it sails September 8. The PA and doctor had indicated they didn’t think they’d be able to clear Eric for travel and to be away from the clinic for 8 days but that we would have to see how things went. To our delight and amazement, the doctor gave the all clear for us to go. He said Eric is doing so well with his treatment, he expects he will respond well to the venetoclax and is willing to forego doing labs and follow up during that time. So, if all goes well with the venetoclax during this ramp up period, we are going on the cruise.

Other good news is that now the infusions are monthly so we don’t go back for that until 9/5, right before the cruise. Blood work/labs and follow up with the PA at Fast track will still be weekly but only for the next 4 weeks until the venetoclax is fully ramped. Then the bloodwork and Fast Track will be monthly. So, just four more weeks of going weekly, then everything is monthly except the daily pills.

It’s pretty amazing how much better the treatment is than it was five years ago as far as tolerance. Hopefully, it will be as effective and even more effective than five years ago, also.

Maureen