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Upping the dosage

Well, it doesn't look like the 50 mg of Thalidomide per day, coupled with 40 mg of Dexamethasome per week did any good. Not that we really expected it to do much, but one can always hope. 50 mg was just a starter to get Edie used to the drug.

So last Wednesday, Edie's oncologist increased the dosage to 100 mg.

Hopefully we'll start to see some change in the progression of the disease, and not just an increase in side effects from the Thalidomide, which seem to be only slight so far.

Of course an increase in side effects may actually be a good thing, since it is a signal the drug is working.

I liken it to graft vs host disease (GVHD) after a stem cell transplant. In that case, GVHD is a good thing, since it is an indication the transplant is taking hold. Of course, the GVHD must be controlled, or it could destroy all the healthy organs as well, which could have severe consequences.

It's a tough road to follow, when the thing you fear the most, GVHD, is exactly the same thing you need, to have any chance for a cure.

Edie has a blood test in two weeks, and another appointment at the end of the month. By then we should see if there are any changes.

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