It's been a long time since Melodina first entered the hospital in Jamuary of 2005. She has recieved several different treatment protocols - most of which did not work. I will detail these struggles their failures, the inspiration, and the successes in future blogs.
In February of this year Melodina had a Bone Marrow Transplant. Today Melodina appears to be cancer free. We are battling the the life threating results of the need to keep her immune system supressed while the donor cells become used to their new host body - Melodina's body.
The drugs that are available to fight the CMV virus - a virus that has killed many bone marrow transplant patients in the past - are horrible. You could call them "righteous poison". Because of the medication necessary to save her life Melodina's kidney's and liver are being compromised - again.
I am worried that in fighting this virus Melodina will end up needing a new transplant, a liver transplant. This is not necessary. There is a new drug presently in stage three clinical trials in California. Maribavir has been shown to be very effective in preventing and treating the CMV virus in post bone marrow transplant patients. Maribavir does not have the negative side effects on the liver and kidneys that the drugs allowed by Health and Welfare Canada or the drugs allowed by the Ontario Government.
Yesterday I e-mailed the Minister of Health and Long Term Care in Ontario twice, begging him to allow this drug for Melodina on compassionate grounds. The Doctors at Sick Kids are phoning Health and Welfare Canada trying to explain the urgency for Melodina to have access to Maribavir. We are hoping and praying. We are requesting and we are begging. I will keep readers of this blog informed as to our success.
No comments:
Post a Comment