In this page, I share my leukemia treatment timeline, documenting the stages and experiences of my journey through Philadelphia-positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Ph+ ALL) treatment.
My Leukemia Treatment Timeline: A Personal Journey
I received some challenging news: I tested positive for central nervous system (CNS) leukemic blasts. This means that leukemia cells have been found in my cerebrospinal fluid, necessitating a more intensive treatment approach.
To address this, I have had to undergo intrathecal chemotherapy twice a week. This involves administering chemotherapy directly into my cerebrospinal fluid through a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). It’s a rigorous process, but it’s essential for targeting and eliminating these leukemia cells in my CNS.
Despite the aggressive treatments I’ve been undergoing, I recently received some tough news. My measurable residual disease (MRD) result came back positive at 28.81% with a sensitivity of 10>3. This means that I still have a significant amount of leukemia cells present in my body. My leukemic blasts having decreased from 53.23% to 28.81%. While this shows some progress, it’s clear that the fight is far from over.
My doctors decided to try a new combination of medications: Prednisone, Ponatinib, and Asciminib. They are hopeful that this combination will have a synergistic effect in stopping the growth of my leukemia.
Despite the challenges I’ve faced, including my measurable residual disease (MRD) result of 28.81% and the relapse of Philadelphia Positive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, I’m optimistic about this new treatment plan.
After undergoing intrathecal chemotherapy four times, my central nervous system (CNS) is now negative for leukemic blasts. This is a significant milestone in my treatment journey and brings a sense of relief amidst the challenges.
However, I will still need to go through multiple additional intrathecal chemotherapy sessions to ensure the leukemia stays at bay and to prevent any recurrence.