Trey, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! That is wonderful!! I have been somewhat worried, as we get these letters every December from our UAW Retiree Trust that holds our insurance assets, about the bleak outlook of our insurance, which is connected to the world economy and Medicare for some. I am not medicare age. With Norvartis dropping it co-pay and/or perhaps any help for Gleevec. I think Novartis may still be helping pay for Gleevec for those who were in the first trials, not sure. I feel if I lost my insurance, I would be forced to change to another drug, to get help from the drug makers, and I am not sure I would fit into their guidelines, and these expensive patents would probably be for the duration of my lifetime.
I have been on Gleevec 6 years and my body and mind have adapted. It would stress me to no end... to change to another drug.
I will never forget the first year on Hydrox for about 30 days, then onto 400 mg of Gleevec. In and out of hospital with fever, vomiting and dangerously low counts. Had my gall bladder out a couple years later, no gall stone, it just didn't work any more. Don't know if there was any connection to the drug or CML, Probably no one knows.
I am excited to hear that a Generic Gleevec, will have the same effectiveness, and become affordable!!! If I were to lose my health care, no insurance is going to pick me up with CML. Generic I would be able to afford it without mortgaging out our home and whatever assets we have.
I try to keep an eye open to LLS discussion board and everyonce in awhile, I leap for joy!
Thank You Lord this Christmas Season; For the blessing of having Gleevec (6 years), and insurance that pays for it, and still able to lead a normal life. I have been trying to learn to re create my thoughts and focus, instead of saying I have cancer i say It feels good to say "the cancer is leaving me!!" Just saying...