Third month milestone Review

Third month milestone review has some important significant for Ah Jon. It means that he is on Glivec for three months and we are interested to see how well he has responded to the drug Glivec (Imatinib). The most important of all is the cytogenetic response. We prayed for a complete reversal of the translocation of chromosome 9 & 22
I started driving (with the aid of Garmin GPS) to the Sime Darby Medical Center in Subang just before 8:00AM. We arrived about 40 minutes later.

Timmy had his blood taken first. And when Jos turn came, we tried for more than 30 minutes without success. First he didn't want.... sudden backout. However, he finally agreed ... ... but because he didn't cooperate too well, his vein "collapsed" when the needle was inserted! So, on his right arm, he was pricked once. On left arm, he was pricked twice and finally got the blood. After that, Ah Jon had his blood taken also. By then it was 12:30 AM and we decided to go for lunch first as the result won't be available for another hour.

... Ah Jon ordered fried chicken set lunch, the boys ordered fried rice + egg. I have fried fish set lunch. Upon return to the clinic, we have the review done at about 2:00PM. There is nothing too significant about the blood test result. Just that his total white cell count has gone up to 3 which is just below the norm of 4-10.

Talking about bone marrow extraction would bring tears to Ah Jon eyes! It must be very painful. So he requested the doc to give him GA but the doc think that a sedation is sufficient. Behind this curtain was where all the bone marrow was harvested for test.

... many tubes of sample were taken.

He fell asleep and after 1+ hour, he was given a jab to wake him up. He couldn't remember a thing! That was what the doc told me.

... this is the mark of bone marrow extraction. No bath for tonight. Tomorrow he can remove the plaster. Another box of Glivec was given. This is the most expensive drug I know off! Thanks to the medical coverage by the company.