Freeda,
my blood work so far turned out pretty good, no need to check more often. I
am doing good on the Gleevec with hardly any side effects, but that took me a
while.
I guess my body is now very used to the drug and I am also not as nauseated
anymore as I was before.

My onc wanted me to do a FISH test again, which looks at the chromosome a
little closer than the regular lab tests. I am still paying off on that test
from 2004, when I lost insurance and only Patient Aid covered a portion of that
test.
Last year I skipped, and this year I might be able to get under my husband's
health insurance plan trough work if I manage to find a part-time job in order
to afford the extra payments. Of course Novartis will not supply me any longer
with Gleevec if I get insurance.

Since I lost coverage my onc decided that I will only see him twice a year if
there are no problems, and lab work every 3 month. Before that lab work was
free under my health insurance plan with a visit to the doc. Now the lab is
covered trough the Leukemia Society, but the visit is not.

Unfortunately I am not too knowledgeable about Medicare at all. I wish I knew
more to help you out. But maybe there is another good soul on the forum who
can.

Best wishes,
Silvia


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