Hello Johan,

 

I don't mind at all if you would like to publish my story on your website. I fact I'll expand a bit on what you already know.

I believe that my whole story relates to Divine Intervention and great Medical Science - but let me proceed and then you can form your own opinion.

 

In July 2003 I visited my GP for my annual check-up. You know the usual : Sugar, Prostrate and Cholesterol. Well he can't explain why he also added in a blood cell count. I displayed no odd symptoms and the slight loss of energy I ascribed to my age. To cut a long story short the Laboratory phoned me at home to establish if I was on any special medications as they had found a problem with my cell count.

Early the following week I was phoned by a Doctor at the Laboratory and asked to come in for a bone marrow biopsy. I did and the results floored me. I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia.

Not knowing where to turn to and who to see I asked the Doctor at the Lab. to recommend me to a Specialist.

I contacted the Doctor who agreed to a consultation

 

I am with Discovery Health and have been so for a number of years so at least I took comfort in the knowledge that I was covered by a reputable medical aid.

After an examination the Doctor discussed various treatments but mentioned that the one option was too expensive and that my Medical Aid would not cover the costs (approx. R30,000 per month)

Interferon-alpha was prescribed and approval was obtained from Discovery Health.

A month later I completely lost my balance and landed in hospital for about two weeks. I underwent numerous tests to establish the cause of the inner ear complication but all to no avail. The problem suddenly disappeared and I was sent home.

A couple of weeks later I again landed in hospital with a paralyzing pain in my lower back. Again numerous test were carried out to establish the cause, but to no avail. Eventually I was given a pain killing injection into the joint in my right side Pelvis. The pain cleared and I was discharged.

During the stay in hospital I was taken off  the Interferon-Alpha and given Hydroxyurea as an interim treatment.

 

At the follow-up consultation with my Doctor he told me that I had to go back on Interferon-Alpha.

 

I felt that my hospitalization was a side effect of my treatment and advised my Doctor that I would be seeking a second opinion.

 

That's when I made arrangements to call Dr David Brittain of the Flora Oncology Centre, Flora Clinic, Roodepoort. (How I came to know of this man can only be described as Divine intervention and the answer to the prayers of not only myself but those of caring and loving friends and family - but that's a story on its own))

 

Well my first consultation with Dr David Brittain gave me hope for the first time since my CML diagnosis. This man examined me and took great care to explain exactly what CML meant and that I was intolerant to Interferon-Alpha. This is common and apparently the greater percentage of patients who start this treatment soon display this intolerance and have to be taken off the treatment.

He would start me on Gleevec as soon as he had motivated my case to Discovery Health. However when he mentioned the cost of the drug I lost hope as I could not see my medical aid paying out that amount. He reassured me that we would find a solution and that he would contact me shortly.

Within a week he had the authorization from Discovery Health and I began my association with Gleevec.

 

At first I was on 400mg per day, but last November I slipped from 4 % to 6% positive. My dosage was increased from 400mg to 600mg per day. By March I was again down to 4% positive and my last test at the end of July could not find a trace of the Ph. chromosome using the FISH test as well as the PCR method. In other words a complete cytogenic response has been achieved.

 

I know that this in no way indicates a total cure as a Molecular Response will be necessary to achieve that.

 

Well I feel that this was a miracle that had occurred in my life and I thank God for hearing and answering my prayers.

 

I have three grand children and another on the way and my greatest ambition is to live long enough for the as yet unborn one to remember me well before I bid farewell to my physical life.( being a grandfather is the greatest  experience that God can bestow on one, apart from one's children - Experiencing the full circle of life is a true blessing and miracle in itself)

 

By the way I turned 60 this year and enjoy Quad Biking and Sports cars. I drive an '89 Porsche 944 Turbo that I maintain in an immaculate condition. Both the aforesaid vehicles have had engine modifications carried out on them.- Who says life in the fast lane is not an exhilarating feeling so why should CML slow one down.

 

 

The fantastic news of course is that new compounds have been developed will combat any of the 16 known mutations which result from a resistance to Gleevec, should this ever occur in a patient who has had a positive response to Gleevec. The future holds great hope for CML patients and leukemia cases in general.

Of course I am not forgetting the role of my Lord and Master who provided my Spiritual encouragement and guidance when the Devil in the guise of depression got the better of me from time to time.

 

Best wishes

 

Basil Jacobs

 

PS: I was 80% Ph positive when initially diagnosed with CML.