Good morning, Ryan. I’d been wondering how your dad’s treatment plan was developing. I think the last time we spoke Greg was waiting for the genetic report. He has the same acquired FLT3 mutation that set my journey into motion. I added 2 more mutations just to keep my doctor’s on their toes. LOL
FLT3 can be a challenging mutation to deal with however, as your dad’s doctor mentioned, there is an abrogating drug targeted to the FLT3 mutation that works well. It was also added to my treatment plan.

The first step is to knock down the cancer cells. So it’s important for Greg to begin his chemo program to stop the proliferation of the blasts. The meds he will be receiving have a good track record in helping get the disease under control. I think because of his age the chemo is scaled back a little to a less aggressive form that’s more tolerated by the body. As our bodies age, they don’t process drugs as well through the liver and kidneys. I was 10 years younger than your dad at the start of my treatment and was admitted to the hospital for 5 weeks in the beginning. My induction chemo and subsequent sessions were as inpatient with Cytarabine and Idarubicin infusions for 7 days in the hospital the first time and then just Cytarabine every 28 days for 3 months. I’ll admit it was pretty brutal. Now, thankfully there are meds such as Venetoclax and Vidaza that are much better tolerated but still effective and don’t require a lengthy hospital stay.

The abrogating drug is Midostaurin (Rydapt). I took it for 21 days following each chemo round, tolerated it well and was so grateful that the drug was available. It was a newer drug then and getting approval from Medicare took a call from my doctor.

As you probably figured out already, I’m all about information. 😉 So I found a good article for you about the FLT3 mutation which mentions Midostaurin and it’s mechanism for treating this mutation.

Your dad will feel some changes coming up in the next couple of weeks as the chemo starts working. Fatigue is normal (and frustrating for active people!) Because his immune system is seriously compromised it’s really important that he avoids exposure to infections and illness. Masking is a good idea around people in public settings. Think “covid training”…the rules still apply. Also, no gardening because of the risk of exposure to fungal infections.
Give your dad my best wishes as he starts his treatments! He’s got this! Keep me updated please. Hugs…