Although close genetic relatives are the best chance of a bone marrow match, it is not guaranteed that one will match (unless he has an identical twin). If not, a search of bone marrow donor registries is made. See for more information about bone marrow donations.
My Dad has Anemia
- Thread starter Phate89
- Start date
Although close genetic relatives are the best chance of a bone marrow match, it is not guaranteed that one will match (unless he has an identical twin). If not, a search of bone marrow donor registries is made. See for more information about bone marrow donations.
Hoss
1
IMO this disease lacks proper treatment, as it's in the bone marrow and is fully susceptible to many drugs and other options. Did they karyotype the leukemic cells? This will help you better understand your situation. I looked quickly for you, and these options seem promising. I'll ask an old immunology professor of mine (world renown), and see if you have better options.
L
Lillian
Guest
sorry to hear about your dad and that it is more than just anemia. i hope and pray he will be well soon.
Can you elaborate when you say "this disease lacks proper treatment"
Does that mean there are better treatment options out there than chemo and bone marrow transplant?
Thanks Mreik ( and everyone else ). I 'd appreciate it if you ask your professor about this, and also if you can get any information about the chances of recovery
How long does recovery take? 1 year? 2 years? Forever?
will he ever be able to go back to his old work, etc or will my dad be forever changed and disabled?
thanks
I said, !
Here's that you can access.
Contrary to what's in the second link, current long-term survival rates for those under 60 is in my estimate just over 50%.
1/2 is pretty damn good odds. And that's with conventional treatments (chemotherapy and transplants and such). Also, due to the nature of statistics, they will always be significantly behind the times. Odds are your dad will be just fine. Try to relax.
Also, my opinion on the supporting him front: behave as if nothing's happened at all. Just interact with your dad the same way you always have. No better, no worse. If you tell him you've done some research and it's no big deal, and you act like it, he will act like it, too. And when it comes to these sorts of things, I think survival is directly related to the strength of the human spirit, which itself is often I believe proportional to how strong we think we are.
Here's that you can access.
Contrary to what's in the second link, current long-term survival rates for those under 60 is in my estimate just over 50%.
1/2 is pretty damn good odds. And that's with conventional treatments (chemotherapy and transplants and such). Also, due to the nature of statistics, they will always be significantly behind the times. Odds are your dad will be just fine. Try to relax.
Also, my opinion on the supporting him front: behave as if nothing's happened at all. Just interact with your dad the same way you always have. No better, no worse. If you tell him you've done some research and it's no big deal, and you act like it, he will act like it, too. And when it comes to these sorts of things, I think survival is directly related to the strength of the human spirit, which itself is often I believe proportional to how strong we think we are.
You said it much better than I did ...
yeah my power level's pretty high
Edit: No but seriously, I have never been sick or injured, despite some pretty serious exposure. Is this because I have mutant genetics or because I am too arrogant to allow the possibility of my being subject to mortal limitations? Extensive testing on my person is strongly indicative of the latter.
I say this because it is my conviction that if your dad has no time for leukemia, leukemia will have no time for him. I also believe that supporting him in taking such a position is the righteous course of action.
Also, once again, best wishes.
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I'm really sorry to hear about all of this Phate. I wish your Father and your family the best.
What do they mean by these numbers and letters such as t(8;21), t(15;17)
What is cytogenetic?
Should I ask his doctor if he has normal, good, or poor-rish cytogenetics?
They refer to genetic (secondary chromosomal, specifically) abnormalities, actually. It is speculated that certain translocations (t) and inversions (inv) dramatically increase the long-term survival rate of patients with leukemia. Generally speaking (for experimental/analytical purposes), t(8;21) refers to the loss of a sex chromosome, t(15;17) to trisomy 8, and inv(16) to trisomies 8 or 22.
It's a branch of biology that deals with heredity, and cellular components (chromosomes in particular) associated with heredity.
The prefix cyto is derived from the Greek "kutos" (meaning 'hollow container') It or its cousin the suffix "-cyte" are used in biology to denote the cell. That gives us cell genetics. Or, more specifically, the science concerned with the study of (chromosomes as they relate to) cell division.
If he was subject to one of the aberrations listed, he would already know about it, most likely, and so would his doctors. If they somehow didn't, they would've discovered it very quickly.
Point of clarification, though: in this case, "normal or good" cytogenetics are disadvantageous (only in this specific context, of course, the vast majority of the rest of the time they are most desirable). The abnormalities they refer to are maladaptive normally, but are suspected of being of benefit when endeavoring to survive leukemia.
Don't get all worried that your dad doesn't have any of them. If he did, he would very likely have died well before you were born. All 3 conditions are quite rare, with the possible exception of the first (which it is not possible for your dad to have - due to his being of the male sex). And remember, contrary to what that particular source claims, the odds are more like half. As of a while ago. We take great big strides and even make leaps on a daily basis.
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Thanks for the detail focus.
I just spoke to my Mom and she talked to My dad's chemo therapist who she said is a nice old guy. He said that 80% of his patients recovery well enough after chemo that they don't need to go through a bone marrow transplant.
Dads getting some X-rays done tonight. Will be talking to his doctors tommorow.
I just spoke to my Mom and she talked to My dad's chemo therapist who she said is a nice old guy. He said that 80% of his patients recovery well enough after chemo that they don't need to go through a bone marrow transplant.
Dads getting some X-rays done tonight. Will be talking to his doctors tommorow.
Yup yup.
And this is likely someone much more trustworthy than random internet articles or old studies.
Good luck!
He started chemo last night and the doctors said that the first 2-3 weeks are going to be the worst, and hardest weeks of his life.
Doctor told me that chemo-therapy is very dangerous because it puts the body in a very very weak condition that can't find anything off.
When I visited him Sunday afternoon we had to put face masks, gloves, and these suits on as to not contaminate the environment or to bring in any germs or illnesses. My mom called this morning after his first round with chemo and he has been vomitting and is very pale. The doctors told me to expect this, since the first several weeks will be very hard.
Prognosis: Will take an average of 6 months to fully recover before resuming normal lifestyle. Doctor told me he has a little well over 50% of a full recovery.
Doctor told me that chemo-therapy is very dangerous because it puts the body in a very very weak condition that can't find anything off.
When I visited him Sunday afternoon we had to put face masks, gloves, and these suits on as to not contaminate the environment or to bring in any germs or illnesses. My mom called this morning after his first round with chemo and he has been vomitting and is very pale. The doctors told me to expect this, since the first several weeks will be very hard.
Prognosis: Will take an average of 6 months to fully recover before resuming normal lifestyle. Doctor told me he has a little well over 50% of a full recovery.
Yup. All sounds about right. As someone said earlier, chemo really does take some people to the very brink of death. An interesting experience, I think. Should be neat to see how your dad takes it - ideologically, I mean. Physically, I'm sure he'll be fine. Not y'know.. having fun, but fine.
News is encouraging, because, generally speaking, doctors who agree with me = good doctors.