12 replies to this topic

[hannibellemo]

I had my checkup with Dr. L at Mayo this morning and amazingly he called this evening with my PCR results! Trey, bear with me, I know you hate the International Scale. In April 2009, using the International Scale, my PCR was 15.3% (I did not have a baseline PCR at time of Dx, 12/08).

In August 2009 because the initial PCR was so high I only had a FISH. Then it was found that I had liver problems with G and was switched to Sprycel in Oct. 09 after being off all drugs for 7 weeks. At my regular check up in Dec. only a FISH was done again because I had just started Sprycel and I had been off medications for almost 2 mos.

Now, I finally get to compare numbers - in April 2010 my PCR (again using the International Scale) was .2% with .1% being  MMR. Today my PCR was .09 - I have officially reached MMR! Thank you, Sprycel!

I like to compare this to golf and the ability to say that I had a birdie or a double birdie (as opposed to, say, a snowman) Unfortunately in my world of golf a snowman is way more likely than a double birdie, but I digress.

Pat

[scuba]

Pat - I am confused.... you had a PCR in April at 15.3% and then in August you say it was so "high" you only had FISH.

What does that mean?

[Trey]

It's a Cinderella story (as in Caddy Shack, speaking of golf analogies).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg8lSyGavc4

[hannibellemo]

Mayo has a different philosophy about doing early PCRs. Generally, they don't automatically do them everytime until the FISH is less than 1%. They also do FISH that can check 6,000 cells vs the normal 200-300 (Trey has a problem with this because he questions the sensitivity).

So, the bottom line is I haven't had a PCR every three months although that will now be my standard.

My 'so high' was based on the reasoning above not on the actual number.

I don't understand the ability to have a PCR above 100% on the International Scale - I simply cannot wrap my arms around that concept. I hope Trey gets back to you so he can put it in perspective.

Do I understand you correctly, you have had 3 PCR tests in 3 months? This is very early days for you Michael, give Gleevec (or one of the other TKIs) time to do it's job.

Good luck!

Pat

[hannibellemo]

One of my all time favorite movies - just watched it again last week!

Pat

[Trey]

Best movies of all time:

1) Caddy Shack

2) Groundhog Day

Really, after those two, nothing else compares....even if you use some fancy International Scale for movies.

[PhilB]

International Scale, Trey, Groundhog Day....

Congratulations Pat.  Brilliant, brilliant news.  I like the Golfing analogy too.  Maybe CHR = par, CCR = a birdie, MMR an eagle (double birdie) and PCRU an albatross (triple birdie).  One thing is for certain, you had plenty of people on here shouting 'Get in the hole!'

[hannibellemo]

Thanks, Phil! It's a great feeling!

Duh, I could not think of the term for "double birdie" and I didn't even know there was a term for triple birdie! But then, why would I? Double, triple (or higher) boogie are terms I can relate to!

There must be a reason that New Jersey is called the Garden State. Have you discovered it?

Pat

[hannibellemo]

Trey, It's a tradition in our home - every Feb. 2 we watch Groundhog Day!

Pat

Message was edited by: hannibellemo

[cherylannes]

Congratulations Pat!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Cheers!

[simone4]

Pat, congratulations. You've have been in several sandpits, but you

have gotten out of the bunkers each and every time. Hope for continued

success. ( I had to look up these golf phrases so as to keep with the metaphor

of the day. )

Take care and celebrate this weekend. Go sailing. Now that is

a novel idea, right?

[Tedsey]

Score!  Awesome.  Glad to hear the good news!

[hannibellemo]

Thanks, everyone for celebrating with me! To keep the golf analogy going for one more round - I'm not heading to the 19th hole yet, I know I have many more rounds to go before I can truly say I'm a Master's level player. 

Pat