CAR-T: Opportunity to Connect

Hi Bob! You sound like everything is good with you.
Greg is doing well. He still has some bouts of “itch and burn” on his forehead and head from the shingles he had in January. It left some nerve damage - but the bouts are getting fewer! He has been golfing with the guys. Still gets tired very easily - but all told is doing great.
We still talk about the wonderful people at the Mayo and the Transplant house!
Take care!
Barb (Greg’s Mum)

@smokie - Barb

Great to hear from you Barb. Glad to hear Greg is doing well. I have heard that shingles can be pretty frustrating and difficult at times.

Good to hear he is getting out on the golf coarse, exercise I am sure is doing him a world of good for both body and mind. Hopefully all that exercise will continue to build up his energy levels as well.

I am doing pretty good right now as well, Thanks, I have had a pretty good summer given all the Covid cautions we need to take.

Does Greg take part in any winter sports?

All the best to both of you,

Bob

HI! I saw some studies on colorectal cancer, but with kras with specific mutations, I would like to know if you know researches already tested in humans that have resulted.

@lorenna, my understanding is that despite CAR-T cell therapy's success in treating blood cancers — e.g., leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma — CAR T-cell therapies have had little success in solid tumors, such as colorectal cancer. Studies have not yet included large population human trials.

Hello @smokie - Hello Barb, I am just checking in with you today.
I hope this note finds Greg and you both well.

Is Greg getting back on the golf course this summer?

Hi Bob!
Everything good here! Enjoying summer. Yes, Greg has been out golfing- even took his young Grandson (11 years old). Thanks for “touching base” and have a wonderful summer!

My ALL has returned 3 years after a bone marrow transplant. Now I am being scheduled for CAR T-cell. I’ve been told I could probably plan on returning to virtual teaching 2 months after the procedure, which is much better than the year it took me to get back in the classroom after BMT. Does that sound about right?

Hello @dbthemathteacher - Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

As someone who has received Car T therapy, I am happy for you that you have been scheduled for treatment, it can be very rewarding after going through many previous types of treatments.

From what I understand, the recovery time can differ greatly between patients, age, physical condition all play a part in the recovery I was told. I personally would not have been able to teach a class 2 months after treatment. (Though it would not surprise me if some have) I am from an older demographic however which can be a factor in speed of recovery. (I was still very weak physically and psychologically at that point)

I encourage others following this site to help you with information they can share of their experiences with Car T.

When are you scheduled for your infusion?

Keep in touch and take care.

Bob

We are still in the insurance approval stage, but I am expecting to probably be in the hospital the first part of January receiving the T-cells back. I’m 54 and pretty well recovered from the BMT 3 yrs ago, so I’m hoping I’m strong enough to be back at the school in March. Even if not near full strength, at least hopefully strong enough to teach virtually.

@dbthemathteacher - That is great news that the treatment is just around the corner. I am so glad to hear that you are well recovered and in a good position. Doing all you can now to stay strong, will leave you in a great spot for treatment in January.

I concur strong enough is a wonderful start after any treatment.

Do you have a strong support system for the first weeks after infusion?

Now I am just curious, how many teaching sessions do you typically have in a day? ( I take university classes but keep it to only one per day)

Have a great Day!

Bob