For those of you that aren't familiar with the term Injured Reserve, let me try to explain it and how it relates to me. In professional sports when a player that is on the roster gets hurt, the money grabbing owners put the player on Injured Reserve. This means that he is still a valuable commodity, but he doesn't take up a valuable roster spot until he can become 'active' again. My last blog said that I started a new trial that changed me to a single agent, every day dose trial. This actually lasted 7 days. On the 8th day they took my blood and my liver enzymes had gone through the roof. They decided to give me a break for a week and see if they come back down, hence, I was put on 'injured reserve'. I had another blood test yesterday and they have come back down, but not quite enough to continue the trial at this time. Dr. Kipps believes that another week off will bring the liver enzymes back to a normal range and we may be able to begin again next week. End of short report.
I feel really good and all of my other numbers look good so I guess I get a drug free holiday. The liver enzyme rise is a known side effect with the Navitoclax (ABT—263) drug. No one is really sure how a person will respond, so when they start me again it may be at the same dose or at a lower dose. I think the sponsor (read drug company) wants to keep me in the trial and certainly Dr. Kipps will have a lot to say about what goes on. One encouraging thing about this break (and the previous one) is that my blood numbers have stayed stable since my last real treatment which was in October. So for almost 2 months without any drugs I have almost been in the normal range. As I have mentioned several times before, it is difficult to live this week to week. There is no certainty to how things are going. You feel great, play golf 3 times in one week, and then they tell you your blood numbers are out of whack. What I would give for some normalcy, some ability to plan longer term.
This last week has not been a particularly good one for my CLL friends. Two people that belonged to the Orange County CLL support group have passed away. Both Bernie and Robert fought courageous battles. They were on two different paths in fighting this dragon, Robert dealing with the after effects of a bone marrow transplant, and Bernie trying to get to a place where he could have a transplant. This makes you take stock of your own situation and how fragile life can be. My prayers are certainly with their families during this difficult time.
Let me take this time to wish all of you a Merry Christmas. I hope you will cherish the times with your loved ones, because every moment is precious.
Terry
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