Today is my first day of my second round of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the first protocol that was used to try and achieve remission was not effective, as my cancer is resistant to chemo. This isn’t necessarily surprising given how extremely high my white blood cell count was when I was first diagnosed, but since entering the hospital it has dropped from 500,000 to 8,000 (a healthy individual has a count of ~ 10,000).
The hematologists here at PMH have decided to go ahead with the hyper CVAD chemotherapy protocol, developed at MD Anderson Cancer Center (across the street from Rice University, where I go to school, funnily enough). This protocol is typically used for more resilient cases of leukemia, so I’m excited to start.
In addition, whereas before I might have needed a bone marrow transplant, I will definitely need one now for a full recovery. I’m confident that a full match can be found, whether it be from one of my brothers or the general donor population.
Until tomorrow,
Ethan Wissell
Ethan's Cancer Fight 
Great post Ethan. Glad to be on the new protocol.
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Ethan, our thoughts are with you and your brave fight. I am optimistic about the new treatment and bone marrow transplant.
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We are very proud of your courage and fighting spirit Ethan – please keep posting your updates, there are a lot of folks who care about you…
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Well written! Good luck with Round 2.
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Ethan – thanks for the update. So great to hear from you as we’ve all been thinking about you. Sounds like you’re being well taken of. Keep up the good fight!
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Ethan – we are all thinking about you and your brave fight. Keep positive, stay strong, we are very optimistic about the treatment plans they have in store to aid you in your recovery! Keep us posted on your progress.
The Cope Family
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Ethan, we are so happy to hear from you but saddened that you need to go through another round of chemo. We pray for the success of your continued care and bone marrow transplant.
Love from Texas, Sharon and Randy
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Great post Ethan! We are thinking of you and sending you lots of love! Love Christine, JR, Colton, and Braydon xoxoxo
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Thanks for the update, Ethan. All of your family in Sudbury is thinking of you. Stay strong and please keep us posted. Love, Gillian XO
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Good to hear promising news of treatment Ethan. Thinking of you and looking forward to more posts.
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Ethan, that is so well written. You sound like you’re already a doctor! Keep fighting and get through this. We are always thinking of you!
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Thanks for the post, Ethan. Bonnie, Jerry, Adam and Kaitlyn. You are in our prayers.
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My thoughts are with you. How does one get tested to see if they are a match for bone marrow transplant?
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Love you Ethan. Keep up your brave fight.
So good to hear from you.
Grandma and Grandpa
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Your extended family in Ottawa are sending good vibes your way Ethan. All the very best at kicking butt in round 2. Thank you for the update and looking forward to more positive reports.
Kevin, Pam, Reid, Jack, Cole and Paige Potvin
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So sorry you are going through all of this, Ethan. Sending you good healing wishes. (I’m on the bone marrow donor list!) xoxo Lisa Goodman (Jaimie Fleming’s mom from Bennington school days)
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Thank you Ethan for keeping us up to date with your treatment honey. We are all thinking of you and pulling for you and it gives us great comfort to hear from you. Keep up the strong fight honey. You can do this! xo the Long family
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Hi Ethan we are wishing you the very best with the challenges you are facing
Don and Fran Rodger
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