During an interview with the “CURE Talks Cancer” podcast, retired NHL referee Kerry Fraser discussed what it is like going through treatment for essential thrombocythemia, including a bone marrow biopsy and daily chemotherapy pills.
As this blood cancer is incurable, ideally, Fraser said, his goal is to eventually die with this disease, not because of it.
CURE: MPN treatment can be very taxing. What were you treated with, and what was it like going through that treatment?
Fraser: Well I have essential thrombocythemia. They did the bone marrow biopsy, which was nothing, really. I had heard from people who said it's difficult and painful. They numbed it, and the doctor that was performing the procedure was being very delicate, and again, with this silly jock mentality, I said, "Listen, doc, go deep or go home. Let's get this sample and let's get out of here." He laughed and he gave it a little pop, and boy they got what they needed. From then on, it was clear sailing.
Things are in a good position for me through the chemo pill that I take. I take nine of them a week: one every day, two on Friday, two on Monday. It has reduced my platelet count at last blood test, a week or so ago. I'm at 285, which is in the normal range. So, we're managing this. My objective, and that of my doctor, is to die with this, and not because of it.
