Friday, December 14, 2007

FINALLY things are happening

For months now, we've sounded like parrots, repeating the same phrase, "waiting for the new drug," over and over and over, as time and again we've gone from hope to disappointment, until we have become completely emotionally exhausted. We have FINALLY been notified that AMD3100 has just been approved for Jimmy to use. This is wonderful news, although we can sympathize with poor Charlie Brown, waiting for his nemesis Lucy to jerk the football out from under him one more time.

To clarify the situation: the only way we can put Jimmy's cancer into remission is for him to undergo a stem cell transplant. The stem cells needed for the transplant are collected from Jimmy's blood, and in the previous collection attempt, Jimmy's body was not producing enough. BIG problem. It has been recently discovered that a substance called AMD3100 causes the body to rapidly produce abundant stem cells, but it has not yet been approved by the FDA. Another big problem.

We applied for an exception for its use in Jimmy's case several months ago, and in the meantime, have been using chemotherapy to control the cancer, while attempting to cut through all of the bureaucratic red tape. Which we have now done. FINALLY. We HOPE.

HOORAY!!!! This is a huge step in the right direction.

1 comment:

glenda and griffin said...

Ellen, such a relief that the stem cell accelerator is finally here and has been approved for Jimmy. We are all anxious for some good news. May he take his vitamins and be strong for his next round of treatment.
Thank you so much for your uplifting messages. We all need them now with Totsy gone.
God bless you both..
glenda and griffin