I had posted something on my mother, who is 80, had been diagnosed with CLL to begin with in March 07. The doctor treated her with chemo for several weeks, but it was discovered after the chemo only worked and kept things at bay as long as she was on it. We were referred to a doctor at the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center in Nashville and from the blood test they did there, it was discovered that what she had was T-PLL and she was put on Campath 3x a week for several weeks. It was close to Christmas holidays when she began this, so she actually had 2 weeks of treatments, then off a week or two, then back on for another few weeks. By February she appeared to be in a form of remission. The doctor wouldn't actually go so far as to call it that. Things stayed where they were until she had a situation arise with her right eye. We were back in Nashville, this time at Vanderbilt, to have this looked at. After 3 weeks of coming and going, it was determined that she should have a biopsy done and the floaters that were giving her problems removed at the same time. This was decided sort of spur of the moment and we found ourselves getting her admitted for this "urgent" surgery. Of course there were antibiotics and prednisone doses ordered and after a while, she began exhibiting signs of the leukemina rearing it's head again. Her main problem is low platelet count. She has had 3 transfusions in 10 days time to try to get this improved. Last Tuesday she had 10 units of just platelets infused and yesterday and today she has felt like her old self. Tomorrow we go in for a blood check to see how she is doing. I dread these days because we haven't been hearing positive news, but my mom is the optimist of the year and feels tomorrow will be different. I hope so.
All that to tell you this. The attitude does play a huge part. Take care of yourself. Ask lots of questions, and don't give up. Get another doctor involved rather than accept what one doctor may be able to do. Our doctor is a wonderful man, and he is not too proud to check with the folks at Sarah Cannon. He has cared for her during her colon cancer scare, and she recovered from that. This is just something new that cropped up and he is being vigilant in caring for her.
I am so glad to see you all posting your situations. I will be a faithful observer to see what you all add. Keep my mom in your prayers. Her name is Virginia.
Linda