Achieving the unachievable: REMISSION!
10 days ago, my bone marrow showed 19% blast cells. Things were looking rough as I need remission for DLI to work optimally.
Today, my bone marrow showed 2.3% blasts!! What the…? There was no chemo in the interim, just the Sutent (which blocks replication) and perhaps some remnant chemo effects. But I am back in remission!!
What I must explain about this is that this was a very unlikely and improbable result. I still don’t see any solid medical explanation for it, and odds were that at best, the leukemia should have stayed stable or grown significantly. But certainly not shrunk to such low levels!!
The doctors were shocked. So much so that they had not even prepared discharge orders just assuming I’ll need to steay to receive Mylotarg tomorrow to bring the blasts down. I cried in disbelief at the results. Papa, Reena, and Prashant were simply overjoyed in a peaceful way. Swami Bhaskarananda said that “miracles happen; a lot of people are praying for you”.
I’m still reeling in disbelief. This means we can go straight to DLI instead of needing additional chemo or Mylotarg, a valuable weapon to save for later (just in case).
Now I just need to get out of this hospital and get active again. I’ve become a bit weaker….but certainly not mentally!!! 
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS - THEY ARE THE ONLY EXPLANATION FOR SUCH MIRACLES! I LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH AND AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL.
January 15th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Sameer bha:
This is excellent news…:) I am positive that with the grace of god you will be on your feet very soon doing all the activities you enjoy..:)
Jai Shri Krishna
Anish
January 15th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Simply incredible. Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement - you focus on that. We’ll continue to take care of the prayers.
January 15th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Sameer –
This is such good news. I can’t tell you how good it is to hear that all of your positive thoughts and the prayers of your friends and family have helped. Thank you for sharing the good news with us, Sameer. Can’t wait to see you back in action soon. I will continue to pray for things to get even better.
– Leslie
January 15th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
God works in mysterious ways. Our joy that someone up there is listening cannot be adequately expressed in words
January 15th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Great news!! Samba can do anything! We are with you all the way. Much positive energy coming’ your way.
January 15th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Just. Amazing. Sameer, we LOVE YOU!!!!
January 16th, 2008 at 12:19 am
I check your website often for updates. Sending prayers and wishes your way for a speedy recovery.
January 16th, 2008 at 12:25 am
This is fantastic, wonderful, and incredible news! Go Samba! I’d love to think that positive imaging helped
but really it’s the powerful love of your family and friends, coupled with your incredible spirit Sameer that made this miracle possible. I’m overjoyed and about to run throughout town shouting the good news. I’m elated! Congratulations Sameer!!!
*Positive imaging (http://bkroupa.com/samba/samba_kills_blasts.jpg)
January 16th, 2008 at 1:32 am
Absolutely AMAZING, Sameer!!! It was great to see you this past weekend. You truly are Superman! Keep the positive energy flowing!
January 16th, 2008 at 7:39 am
the blast is in the past! Woo woo! I’m so glad to hear the news. Keep strong and know that we’re always thinking about you.
January 16th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Sambakaka-it’s partytime….we love you - your positive attitude and optimism are inspirational!
January 16th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Sameer,
I check your website everyday and I am grateful that you or your father give us updates on your treatment. I had not checked yesterday. I can’t tell how happy I am to read your update today. Keep your spirits up and enjoy the moment. We will keep our prayers going. I keep reading about your incredible attitude and optimism and I am inspired. I would certainly like to meet you and Reena, once you are back in action. You are truy inspirational!
Sudha Prakash (Team Vinay)
January 16th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Sameer,
Felt very happy to know about the REMISSION!! May Lord Sai bless u and help u to recover soon. My Prayers are always there for u.
January 16th, 2008 at 11:51 am
What great news! We just had an IDS meeting on Sunday and I mentioned about your last update. Now I need to send out an email with this fantastic news! We are sending you all our postive energy from Chicago!
January 16th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
supersamba!! this is so wonderful to hear! sending lots of love and positive energy!
January 16th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I followed the Nirali’ case and then your’s and Vinay and have participated in many drives. The lesson I learnt in all this is nothing is impossible until you say so. So please keep the positive vibes flowing and attract the good things and llive life fully .
January 16th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
What wonderful news!!! While we may be on the other side of the country, we are not celebrating any less as a result of it. You are an inspiration to us all!
January 16th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Great News…..
I hope and pray that the journey ahead is smooth and healing for you…..
January 16th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Sameer, we’ll not give up praying for you and you must not give up fighting for us. Remember, impossible is nothing!
Looking forward for more and more positive news for you. God bless
January 16th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Sameer, we have no words to express how wonderful this news is, it’s simply amazing and a true testament to your spirit. We will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers. You are well on your way to a speedy recovery and will be back to your Samba self in no time. Watch out world!
Lots of love!
January 16th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Dear Sameer,
Where you kids get this much courage and strength, I don’t know… but really inspired by your valiant determination. keep it up!!
With best wishes,
January 16th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
What amazing news! I’m so glad we checked the web site tonight…what a wonderful thing to learn before going to bed. Your strength amazes us.
We are sending you are all our love.
-Carter, Rachel, and Adlai
January 16th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Wonderful news! You are right, many people are pulling for you and praying for you!
Keep up the high spirits!!
Muikesh
January 16th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
I’ve never met you or your family Sameer, but I’ve been keeping up with your updates to see how you are doing. I’m so happy to hear good news! You are always in my prayers. You really deserve this positive news for all your spirit!! You simply amaze me with your positive attitude towards this whole thing, and you will beat this whole thing! Take care!
January 16th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Great News ! such miracles are a manifestion of the presence of a Divine Power and reinstates our faith in Him.
Jai Shri krishna!
January 16th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Oooooh yeaaa…now that’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout. Way to fight brother!!
Tarak
January 17th, 2008 at 5:40 am
Samba Mama!!! I knew it, i knew it — had to happen and was waiting to hear this - mom and I’ve been worried !! Now if only I can convince mummy that we can have a good size b-ball match and let Uncle D ref : )
Lots of love, Vaishant
January 17th, 2008 at 5:44 am
Yeayyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! All our love, positive energy and prayers are with you and the family. May such miracles no longer be needed and the collective spirit of all those who love you simply add to the strength you, Reena and the whole family have.
January 17th, 2008 at 7:13 am
Hi Sameer,
I am SOOO happy to hear this awesome news. You, Reena and your respective families will continue to remain in my thoughts and prayers…keep up the good spirits Sameer and before you know it you will be back 100%
Love, malisa
January 17th, 2008 at 10:54 am
YAY!!! I know the last month has been a roller-coaster for everyone - it’s so great to hear that you’re back on the way up!
(Brady-cakes - love the pic!)
January 17th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
My first instinct was to simply burst out laughing on seeing this posting!! You’re completely defying everything and everyone! Yeaaaa!!
This is simply simply incredible! Very glad to see this posting. Keep up the fantastic spirit! Lots of positive energy and love to you, Reena, your dad and brother. If I’m going ‘whew!’ I can hardly imagine how relieved and ecstatic all of you must feel. You’re blazing the trails and I pray it only gets better now… Congratulations!
ps:All of us out there who’ve been keeping tabs on you need to see a pic of all of you dancing– your dad included
January 17th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Sameer !
I am so glad for you and your family ! I am so relieved that I cant really explain.
Lots of love for all of you
Jaya
January 18th, 2008 at 8:49 am
God helps who stay positive all the time and he helps who helps others. All our prayers are answered. Without you , vinay and other” fighters” it is not possible to help create awareness about Marrow donorship in our south asian community. There is a saying: GOD opens a window if the doors are closed. It is a victory for your positive attitude. Keep going. You will really do good.
January 18th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Dear Sameer and Reena,
This is a wonderful news. Lord Shrijibawa has answered all your prayers in this miracle. Thakorji is so kind that he will always take care of us and save us from all impedenes of life… Keep your faith and hope alive and Keep up your good spirits
Jay Shree Krushn,
Take Care,
Alpa
January 19th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Sameer & Reena,
We are so psyched to hear the news ! Way to go……….thanks so much for the updates. Our love and prayers with you always.
Take care
January 19th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Yay!!!! All the best with everything! You ROCK!!!!!!!
January 20th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
READING ALL OF THESE COMMENTS BROUGHT ME TO TEARS. I AM REALLY EMOTIONALLY OVERWHELMED BY ALL OF THIS LOVE, EVEN FROM STRANGERS. YOU ARE ALL MY HEROES. AND BECAUSE OF ALL OF YOU, MY FIGHT WILL NOT END UNTIL I SAY IT DOES.
WITH ALL MY LOVE AND ETERNAL GRATITUDE,
SAMEER