Mr. T-Cell V.S. Luke Kemia

It has been quite a whirlwind of a week, I will do my best to give you some highlights. On Monday morning we met with staff, nurses, and doctors, to set up my patient information and review my medical history. I received a cool wrist band free of charge! After some lab work we met with Dr. Jabbour. He is assigned to my case and works on a team with over 20 other doctors.

He discussed many of the ALL research studies they are conducting at MD Anderson with us. I will likely be participating in the Blinatumomab or "BiTE" study so I won't waste time explaining the others to you.

Let's start with T-cells: T-cells are a particular white blood cell that fight off viruses. Think of them as big tough warrior neutrophils. The problem is my T-cells (technically the donor T-cells from my first bone marrow transplant) are not effectively locating and eradicating my cancer. 

The drug - Blinatumomab - identifies a genetic marker on my T-cells (marker 19 to be exact) and helps them (the T-cells) locate and destroy cancer cells. I like to think of it as a fight promoter that is setting up microscopic boxing matches within my bone marrow.

After a few days of tests (blood, vitals, a chest x-ray, an EKG, a lumbar puncture, and two bone marrow biopsies) I was ready for a break. We checked out of our hotel and headed two our new home away from home. A friend of a friend, set us up with an amazing couple who has been more than gracious to let us stay with them.

It is lovely house about 15 or 20 minutes South of the hospital. Yesterday, (Saturday) Amanda took me out to spoil me a bit before we check in to the hospital to start the treatment. We went to Salt Grass Steak House for lunch. The service was amazing and the food was delicious! It was nice to spend some time just me and my sweetheart before we are going to be stuck in a tiny hospital room for days on end.

As long as my lumbar punture is clean (we haven't heard otherwise), I am scheduled for an appointment at MD Anderson tomorrow at 10:00 A.M and will begin my treatment on the Blinatumomab protocol sometime in the afternoon. 

From what I understand - the drug was developed in Germany and the study is in its second phase at MD Anderson. Only 24 patients have participated in this study previously, with a success rate of over 50%. Because it only targets the cancer this is technically not a chemo-therapy, but rather an "immuno-therapy". The most common side effect is hand tremors (not good for a guitar player) but luckily they go away after you discontinue the drug.

As things are planned, Amanda and I will spend about two weeks at the hospital as they begin the treatment and monitor me closely. Then we will return to our new friends, the Edwards' house, and continue the next four weeks of treatments there (obviously with regular check ups at the hospital). 

I am so lucky to have Amanda here to support me. She is so good about doing research and asking the right questions when we meet with the doctors. I don't know what I'd do without her!

Our hope is that this new treatment will bring me back into remission. If we are successful, I will undergo a second bone marrow transplant and hope that my new T-cells are a bit more agressive than my previous transplant.