The first relapse in June 2004
In the chapter "What were looking back at the period May 2003 to the present difficult or special occasions?" I've written about how I was feeling and how the results of the bone marrow biopsy, for the second time my world upside down. The doctors presented fairly quickly a plan. They wanted to give a treatment that proved to be successful in children (acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children and usually has a relatively high cure rate of 80%). As children have a better resilience than adults (think of the impact of chemotherapy on vital organs and body parts) had to examine whether my body was strong enough to undergo this treatment. Studies showed that certain functions were a bit diminished as a result of treatment given in 2003. Fortunately the treatment as one would have envisioned proceed. During this period we have the doctors said we really looked up to a new long stay in hospital (along with the fear was my biggest problem) the doctors are happy when taking into account our feelings (without medical responsibility from losing sight ) suggested that where possible as an outpatient to take place (some hospitals in the Netherlands do this more often in other countries there are ongoing studies which examined whether there are more opportunities for home care). The goal of treatment was initially using chemotherapy to achieve remission again. If this goal was achieved, an allogeneic stem cell (Bone marrow or stem cell is the administration of healthy, functioning (blood) stem cells allogeneic stem cells are cells from a donor) followed by a desirable outcome of the disease once and for all out of my body banished. We had agreed with the doctors that I would start clinical treatments are so good the first day to monitor. Luckily everything went without problems and I got permission outpatient treatment where possible to continue. I had twice a week in hospital for a blood test report. When my blood numbers were good, I was often chemotherapy. After that I went home. When I'm not going to feel good or got a fever, we had telephone contact with the department. At home everything went well and we were pleased that despite that we are very exciting and uncertain situation found themselves had the opportunity where possible, try to lead a normal life. As I felt I could at night once with friends for a drink on a terrace or agree in their homes. This is probably for most people the normal things in the world. Only this is not possible when an isolation room is and then do your normal activities very much missed and very much appreciate it if you get the possibility to be made to do these things again. During this short period that I have stayed in the hospital I got to know a girl (we were roommates because we both still had sufficient strength we did not lie in isolation) she was 10 years younger than me and made a very strong and positive impression. We had the same disease and had a relapse (Coincidentally, in December 2004 she was discharged from the hospital. She had just had an autologous stem cell transplant). We both had the same route in mind in terms of medication and outpatient area. But after that I could go home a few days she had to stay in hospital (her condition deteriorated). Eventually we heard the terrible news that she was deceased. Fleur and I have met several people (some of you had quite an intense band at times) that we actually know or suspect that they are no longer there. Each is a brutal slap in your face and it will never get used! When we heard that she was deceased went with me is not so good. During my time at home, I was breathless. When I was in hospital has been known pictures taken of my lungs and lung research. There was a fungal infection in my lungs down. This fungus is in cereals, rice, walls and could simply circulate the air. A healthy person is usually not only risk you run with reduced resistance risk more. This infection did not result from the fact that I had outpatient treatment, the fungus could have been in my body through food or sit in my body ended up. The doctors told me recently that there was a way that worked and that until recently people had been displaced because of this fungus were deceased.Again, the doctors gave no guarantees on the probability of survival. Luckily though I hit the course for as yet swallow pills to prevent a recurrence. In October 2004 began the series of treatments in the hospital was to be done. The course consisted of four days ATG rabbit protein, two days after chemo and then two days a total body irradiation of 13 minutes each. These courses should help to ensure that all malignant cells and were completely destroyed my resistance so that the stem cell transplant could take place. The cures are hard for me and caused several side effects such as nausea, fever, sores in the mouth, red color of the skin, diarrhea and a lethargic feeling. The actual stem cell suggests relatively little for the following years, however, very exciting because it was waiting for graft-versus-host * the allogeneic transplant (graft-versus-host is a serious complication that can occur after an allogeneic transplant. Literally means "graft against host. The donor tissue (graft) is organs and tissues of the patient. The immune cells from the donor to see the organs and tissues as foreign and they fight. It is sometimes called reverse rejection). Although the side effects are very annoying (some can be life threatening) is still hope for these side effects as this is a favorable effect on disease. The cure was layered and there was again talk of remission. In December I was discharged from hospital (after a successful test weekend spent at home). * The disease can manifest itself in some unpleasant but harmless symptoms, but can be life threatening. Symptoms that may occur include: redness and itching of the palms, soles or behind the ears red discoloration of the skin over the body Diarrhea Nausea Lung and / or liver damage order the attack response suppression is obtained usually for 3 months medication. Also be certain immune cells (T lymphocytes) from the graft removed. One can severe graft-versus-host usually occur. These T cells also play a role in removing cancer cells. They increase the risk of recurrence of the disease slightlyto
