EMAIL DETAILS

I wanted to give you an update on my prognosis so far, my treatment going forward, and my schedule for the upcoming months.....

I saw my Dr. (Dr. DiNardo) today. She gave me some good news....after getting the results of more detailed work on my bone marrow biopsy, it was confirmed that I am in complete remission. This means that I have no detectable leukemia in my body. To be in complete remission my blasts (leukemia cells detected in my bone marrow) need to be under 5%. When I arrived my blasts were 60% and now my blasts are 0.34%. I also have some good genetic markers, so once I am in remission there is a possibility I will stay in remission.

Today I am starting my second round of chemo (one hour a day for five days). I still take my ABT pills every day. My white cells are still low, so I need to take fungal medication every day (although there is some flexibility).

I will be in Houston until June 30th. Then I will go to Chicago for a business meeting returning on June 2nd to AZ. On June 21st, I will return to Houston for the next week for my next round of chemo. Between June 2nd and June 21st, I will have my fungal and blood work done at Mayo.

I will be able to travel, although I will only go away for 4/5 days at a time. During this time I won't' take my fungal medication and will have my blood work done before and after our trips.
My only travel plans that might be longer than 4/5 days would be LaJolla where I would get a relationship with ucsd for my treatment.

I would like to see as many people as possible when I am in AZ. I want to see my friends in groups of two or four others.
Please email me with availability and I look forward to seeing everyone and being home...

Arlene

Arlene Busch
312-498-9595 (m)
202-333-1880 (w)