Travis Update 1/28/02
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| "One in a Million" Travis Update 1/28/02 |
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| Dear friends and family, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I've debated whether or not to send this update, and decided to do so for a few reasons. First, because it's important to me to continue to chronicle our journey (as my memory is about 10 seconds long these days), I'm writing it, so I might as well send it out, too. Second, because we could sure use your prayers and positive thoughts. Third, to continue to share what we learn and experience, in that it might help others. And fourth, because many of you who have seen me this week may notice that I've been spacey and distracted. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On Thursday last week, we got word from Travis' transplant team in Milwaukee that his most recent BCR ABL test (which checks for the presence of the Philadelphia Chromosome -- abnormality that indicates the possible presence of cancer) this time came back "positive".� It is a "Round 2" detection, which means they didn't detect the Ph+_ Chromosome at a scan of 100,000 cells (round 1), but DID detect its presence at a scan of 1,000,000 cells, Round 2.� In other words, it hasn't been detected over these last 3 years since Travis' transplant, yet now it indicates at least a 1 in a million (or more, we don't know what we're dealing with here, yet) presence of the Ph Chromosome+.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What does this mean?� Hmmm, we're not sure. Other that it's stirred up a bunch of emotional baggage and vulnerability while we try to stay as calm and focused and rational as possible, and move forward to get more objective information. Our very conservative and wonderful doctor has urged us to not panic, though we will be re-testing Travis this week (Thursday) when he was scheduled to be up in MKE for more eye tests (post cataract surgery) anyway. They'll re-do this BCR ABL test as well as conduct a test that measures the presence of donor cells.�� Travis has been 100% donor cells since the transplant (thank you, hero Marge!), and we're praying that's still the case. If he comes back showing a percentage of his own old cells regenerating, that would be a good sign.� This test will take about 3 days for results. The big test, the BCR ABL -- will take about 3 excruciating weeks to come back with results.�� If it shows positive on the Round 1 level, they'll go to a bone marrow aspiration (draw marrow from his hip to test, very painful and NOT fun).� If it stays at this level, I'm not sure what the procedure is, likely watch and monitor. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It's a very highly sensitive test. As our doctor says, yes, it could be really bad. And yet, he's optimistic that this technology has indicated "a change" one to keep close tabs on.�� I guess what we're hoping and praying for is that this is either a false positive (?) or that that this chromosome abnormality presence stays latent or dormant without progression to cancer.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Honestly, since Thursday when we got this news, we've alternated between shock, calm, confidence and feeling like a wreck.� Alternated that whole cycle many times.� A whole lot of what we've been through over these last 3 years has come back to the surface. Defensiveness, vulnerability, concern, fear, determination, fierce positive resolve, the whole gamut. And did I say fear?�� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Travis and Spencer only know that we've added some re-testing to our schedule this Thursday because they have to recheck something on� Travis' previous results.� Actually, he's the one that asked about his recent results, so I think he senses something's up.� I'm sure we'll talk further on the way to MKE when it's private, quiet together time.� Regardless, it's only a tiny piece of information so far, and one to which we can't put a handle on the meaning or implication. So we certainly don't want the boys to be fearful, yet we don't want to make feeble attempts at hiding something, in which case they'd possibly envision the worst.� So we'll take it a step at a time and be appropriate with our information with them. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I'm so grateful that my parents have been here this weekend (coincidentally) to provide us with additional strength and optimism.� We'll know more in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you wouldn't know a thing is different or wrong, the boys are playing, going to school and laughing a whole lot. And Travis is even creaming us all in Scrabble these days!� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| So thanks for your thoughts and prayers, as always. It's scarier than hell to get this kind of a message.� Yet, until we know more, we're trying to just focus on the fact that it's a change.� We'll see what it means.� And we'll let you know as soon as we know anything. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Love from us, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Melanie� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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