Great news from my MDAnderson doctor

[DGG1931]

I was originally diagnosed in May, 2011 and had a long 9 year watch and wait.

Feb,2020 Dr Thompson put me on Calquence as I was become a little anemic and this treatment gave me great results.

Feb, 2022 Dr. T and I agreed to add Venetoclax in an attempt to try to reach uMRD and have a drug holiday!

April, 2024 my new doctor (after Dr. T left to go back to Australia), Dr. Ferrajoli ordered a Bone Marrow Biopsy as my PB had gotten down to 0.007 in February, 2024. She called me last week and said the test showed no CLL cells and she was taking me off both drugs! I’m in remission!!!!

I am so thankful for both of these amazing doctors and for MD Anderson and for all of you CLL warriors. You have all taught me so much. I will see Dr. Ferrajoli in August for follow up and hoping after that I can just see my local oncologist and not have to go to Houston but 1 or 2 times a year. May all who have reached this point and those who are still getting there have long and deep remissions.

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

🎉🎺👍

[BLP1211 in reply to lankisterguy]

Congratulations!!!

[Walkingtall62]

This is wonderful to read. Well done

[DGG1931 in reply to Walkingtall62]

Thank you!

[Poodle2]

Briliant news! Enjoy it! May it last forever...also thanks for your words, I am also grateful for this wonderful community.

[DGG1931 in reply to Poodle2]

There are many awesome warriors on this site. And thank you for your well wishes.

[Justasheet1]

Enjoy your holiday like it’s your birthday 🥳

Jeff

[DGG1931 in reply to Justasheet1]

🎉🎂🥳 celebrating BIG!!!

[CoachVera55]

That is so so so encouraging🙌🏾CONGRATULATIONS 🎉🎈🎊🍾

[DGG1931 in reply to CoachVera55]

I want us all getting there and a cure very soon!

[Skyshark]

Good news. Wonder how long it take for a protocol to appear to wean everyone off BTKi maintenance?

[avzuclav in reply to Skyshark]

Seven years ago at MD Anderson. A phase II Study of Venetoclax (ABT-199) consolidation for patients currently receiving ibrutinib or acalabrutinib for High-risk CLL (clinicaltrials.gov/study/NC... They've reported data a few times at ASH over the years. It looks good enough to me.

I'm interested in consolidation but haven't found the right trial nor enough data to convince my specialist (yet).

[Sushibruno]

I’m very happy for you DGG1931. I would love a drug holiday, I’m on calquence. I’m going to discuss this with Dr. Lamanna on May 9th.

[DGG1931 in reply to Sushibruno]

Great! I hope it will work out for you. I was very blessed with that combination.

[Sushibruno in reply to DGG1931]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼. Thank you

[Hidden]

Did your doctors discuss their thoughts on Venetoclax retreatment? I start in two weeks. They are doing a Z and Sonotoclax trial at my hospital. I didn’t have time to get into it. Sounds like it is working well.

[DGG1931]

My understanding is if I should relapse at some point, I could go back on this treatment. However there are also many new treatments on the horizon as well.

[Sushibruno in reply to DGG1931]

Exactly right.

[KMac1969]

Dr. Ferrajoli is my doctor as well. I just love her. She is fantastic. Congratulations!

[DGG1931 in reply to KMac1969]

She is very smart and thorough. I’m happy Dr. Thompson, who I dearly loved put me with her when he left.

[thompsonellen2]

Congrats! Enjoy the break!

[DGG1931 in reply to thompsonellen2]

Thank you! That’s the plan. We have a Viking River cruise planned for the end of July.

[G-F-T]

wonderful news just fantastic. What a weight off your mind, get on and enjoy your life 😀

[DGG1931 in reply to G-F-T]

Thanks for your well wishes. I feel to blessed.

[Txkate]

Congrats! How wonderful! Enjoy to the fullest🤗!

[DGG1931 in reply to Txkate]

Thank you! I pray you are also doing well.

[Txkate in reply to DGG1931]

I just return to MDA after a biopsy of a node a recent PET/CT discovered in my Mesentery. I had been dealing with enlarged neck nodes since Dec and Ultra Sound came back with questions so got a hold of my team at MDA and eventually (my push) for a PET/CT. They agreed and turn out I had multiple areas with some enlargement, but one in the Mesentery (I had to look up where that was, lol) was 3.3 cm. My blood work looked good except for my LDH was high. Long story short I pushed for a biopsy and they agreed. Great news is the Radiologist was able to do a core and a needle of that node and it came back as SLL/CLL with no sign of Transformation. I will meet with a new Oncologist next Friday at MDA in the Leukemia dept as I have always been on W&W in the Lymphoma dept. We will discuss different types of treatment options including continuing W&W. This site has been so helpful in explaining the actual experiences people deal with on the various treatments. I have been on W&W for 14 yrs and there have been so many new advances, but I have also developed some health issues that have to be considered. We will figure it out! Celebrate your hard work won!

[DGG1931 in reply to Txkate]

You are in good hands. Let us know how you are doing from time to time.

[Phil4-13]

Wonderful!!!😊Sandra

[Angie4now]

Great news! Reading it with a smile on my face. 🙏🤗🙏

[Tabbytabby]

I completed V+O treatment in February. Received the results of the ClonoSEQ test 2 days ago. Zero cells detected! Congratulations to you reaching uMRD. Time for both of us to celebrate!

[DGG1931]

Congratulations! I’m so happy for you! Praying both of our remissions will last forever!