@anitasharma Aw, Anita, this is such disappointing news about your husband relapsing. I know you’re all feeling gut-punched right about now, even his BMT team. I’m right there with you because we shared so much of his journey together.

But please don’t despair! This is just a twist or bump in the road. Relapses do happen. With some forms of leukemia, certain mutations are able to evade chemo and the transplant. They can actually go dormant but then resurface later, generally within 6 to 18 months post transplant. Some residual disease is too minuscule to easily detect.

Because your husband has frequent blood work, the cells were caught early in his lab results. His doctors will have a back-up game plan. It might involve followup chemo, targeted therapies, possibly a DLI (infusion of cells from his donor)(your son) and potentially a second transplant. It isn’t uncommon for some transplants to be repeated with a have positive outcome!

You don’t have to make any decisions immediately…and husband is also in much better health entering into any treatment this time. So, his doctors will reassess his case and determine the next route to take. Then they’ll discuss it with you and your husband so that you’re all comfortable with the next steps.
Hang tight and as you say, keep fighting. This is just a bump in the road, not a cliff.
Please keep me updated, ok?

@anitasharma

That is rough. Everything can seem so right, until it is not. I am so grateful Lori posted options. 2nd opinion please. From my research hospital at COH you are reminding me that an answer like that is not the only choice. Different doctors, and hospitals, different choices. Please keep us posted. I know now i will keep asking as there are more and more possibilities in medicine now.