Bone Marrow Biopsy Results

I'm happy to report that the results from my most recent bone marrow biopsy (taken on October 28th) are in and everything looks great! My oncologist e-mailed to let me know and added the word EXCELLENT (bolded and in all caps) as a side note. Guess that is about as good as it gets. As always I am incredibly relieved. My next bone marrow biopsy is scheduled for March 10, 2011. I have no reason to think that the results are going to be any less than EXCELLENT, but I always worry until I receive the news. Now I can breathe easy again until after the new year.

I have been having some GI problems though. Stomach pain, cramping, bloating, and all the unmentionables that go hand-in-hand with those symptoms. I had a endoscopy and colonoscopy last week, and was told that there is no sign of acid reflux or celiac (an auto-immune disease that runs in my family), yet I continue to suffer with discomfort. Dr. Michael Cox is my GI doc, and has started me on Align, a pro-biotic, Benefiber, and something called Complete Relief that I have been unable to find anywhere. I was using Prilosec, but Dr. Cox told me that long-time users often experience the same symptoms that I have been complaining about, so I discontinued using it. I hope this situation gets better, because I'm often woken up by the symptoms. I have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Cox on December 1st. Dr. Carraway, my oncologist, seems concerned because the symptoms could also be a side effect of the Gleevec. That is a scenario that I don't even want to broach even though there are alternative chemos. I feel like Gleevec is my friend and has worked so well for me that I am afraid to try another medication.

This is the kind of thing that I probably will have to face for the rest of my life as a result of my illness, as a result of the chemo I received prior to my bone marrow transplant, and as a result of taking a daily chemo pill. In the scheme of things I suppose I shouldn't whine, but it worries me nevertheless.