MovieChat Forums > My Sister's Keeper (2009) Discussion > I have APL

I have APL

posted 14 years ago by AyameJade
17 replies | jump to latest

I read the book and was pleasantly surprised at how accurate the portrayal of APL is since I have it. I got the treatment that she got at the end that was "experimental" for her but was standard treatment for me (All Trans Retinoic Acid Treatment) because in the book she was diagnosed many years before I was (I was diagnosed June 29, 2005). BUT the movie takes place in modern times so it was baffling when I watched it because APL is now the most curable of all AML leukemias (it's actually AML M3) and is not treated with a bone marrow transplant. At that time it was treated with All Trans Retinoic Acid and Chemotherapy, now it is treated with Arsenic as well but no transplant. It has a 90-95% cure rate

But now I am wondering if in the movie they ever said she had APL like they did in the book. Did they make it more general (just saying leukemia) or did they say APL? I don't want to have to watch the movie again, I was so angry that they modernized it because it took away the whole reason they would have to have Anna because it's curable without a transplant.

Anyone remember?

[–] superaudreysaves 14 years ago

I remember the doctor said something like "She has word word leukemia.... cancer."
So those first two words could have been whatever the A and P stand for, assuming the L is leukemia. But I don't know much about these things.

Also. In the movie, even though it's modernized, Kate still was diagnosed long before you were, because she was still, like a toddler. So it would have been like 97 or 98. So I don't know if that makes much of a difference? But if they couldn't cure it then, it's possible that the cancer progressed so much that they did continue to need Anna and she would have needed a transplant because it had hurt her body so much. But I really don't know, I'm just suggesting.

By the way you were diagnosed on my 13th birthday. I was at summer camp.

just sayin.

[–] AyameJade 14 years ago

I'm pretty sure transplants for APL stopped in the mid 80's to early 90's. APL stands for Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

[–] chum_hates_hackers 14 years ago

It is mentioned that she has APL, first when the doctor diagnoses her (as above poster mentioned) and also when she and Taylor are introducing themselves to each other "I'm Kate, APL".
xx

[–] dogluver1970 14 years ago

Hi OP,,

How are you doing now? Are you in remission? What do the Docs say about your prognosis at this point? (BTW, that's GREAT that the cure rate in your type of leukemia is so high. It's also high in ALL, as well. Isn't it wonderful? Four instance, if a child was born before the 70s, they he/she would have practically a 0% chance of beating any type of leukemia. By the time I was born in '70, advances were being made, but the prognoses were often still quite grim (not to mention that the treatments were far more toxic, as they're learning now, from the kids who might have beaten back then, but are now developing OTHER cancers in their 30s and 40s - I'm sure it will be different for you!!

And now, most forms of childhood leukemia are, indeed, considered curable. Sure, there are always exceptions and children do get other types of (even) more rare and deadly cancers, but it just amazes me how far the medical community has come in the last 50 - 60 years on this!!! :)

BUT GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!

PS To the other posters here: I was disappointed that none of you even asked the OP how he/she was doing!! You guys mostly seem pretty young, so I do understand that you're at that developmental stage where the world revolves around you, but you know, you COULD try a bit - it won't hurt. E.g, like whoever said that he/she was at camp, the summer when the OP was diagnosed? In the future, you might want to keep that little tidbit to yourself, as it comes across as incredibly insensitive (eg, you're having this great summer, while the OP is getting a scary and life-changing diagnosis). Just THINK about what I'm saying...ok?

[–] Insanity-Within 14 years ago

Doglover1970
Thank you! I salute you!

OP:
I have seen this movie, and Im reading the book now.
I have also seen other movies about this..
I just want to say that Im so happy that you seems to be ok, and Im very thankful that you decided to share your story.
I hope you are ok still!
Are you?

[–] nmaddalo_dixon 12 years ago

Hey! Dogluver...

Quit pandering to the OP. Also, that "tidbit" about how you're "sure it will be different for you" and the bunch that came before was offensive; bloviating on-and-on about the previous mortality rates negates any well-meaning you may have had. It was also a sickening rendition of attempting to garner the OPs approval of how cordial you are.

So, P.S.:

Don't point fingers at others for their distasteful responses. Yes, that individual pointing out how they went to summer camp that particular day of the OPs diagnosis was off-putting, but what are you gonna do, talk down to everyone and exhibit your PC sensibilities? Bravo.

Don't be a hero; fight crime when you see a real one being committed.

[–] mollyfields 14 years ago

I agree, the change in timeline does effect what treatment Kate would have received. In the book like you mentioned she was diagnosed many years earlier. In the movie they don't even mention ATRA or arsenic. They might have been able to come up with a reason why she didn't respond to them. She could have been made older; something. I was a little disappointed in the details, but I chose to just look at the movie overall in order to enjoy it.

Although the reason for the kidney transplant, the point of the trial, was that the treatments Kate had received had damaged her kidneys. So in the end it was not the APL that was killing her but renal failure.

To anyone who has not read the book, I HIGHLY recommend it. It is a great book that deals with these ethical issues better. The characters are so real. As someone who has taken care of a family member with cancer until their death, I also liked how the author portrayed life with cancer. You are going through this awful experience but at the same time life goes on. It's a little surreal.

I think it is amazing that what once used to be one of the deadliest of leukemias is now one of the most curable. To all the doctors and scientists who have worked hard and the families who participated in trials, my hat goes off to them.

To the OP, I hope you are in remission and enjoying a wonderful life. Cancer presents all sorts of challenges, but also all kinds of lessons, and those who make it through have been in my experience very special people. I hope you are healthy and love your life :)

[–] AyameJade 14 years ago

Yes, I am still in remission and there is an excellent chance I won't relapse now that it has been 5 years since diagnosis. I do appreciate/love life more. Thanks for the response :)

[–] Eowyn_89 14 years ago

thats so good to hear :) I´m just reading the book, and it just gives me the creeps. I was kind of always afraid of this disease, but its so good to hear that its curable...
I already signed up to be be bonemark donor. I hope I can help someone once, cuz not every patient who has leukemia, survives...

I hope you´re still OK...you are a fighter :) ( btw...may be it sounds rude...really don´t mean to be it...but how old were you, when you were diagnosed?)

No, I´m not saying I´m sorry!- 30 Seconds to Mars 'Closer to the Edge'

[–] AyameJade 14 years ago

I was 24 when I was diagnosed :)

[–] Eowyn_89 14 years ago

I really hope, that you never have to deal with it again!

No, I´m not saying I´m sorry!- 30 Seconds to Mars 'Closer to the Edge'

[–] Brommabo 12 years ago

I never thought about people signing up to be bonemark (is that really what it's called) donor. I wonder if I can do it in my country.

[–] deahunt 12 years ago

Brommabo - it's called bone marrow donation, and most of the time, it's done through an IV, just like blood donation. You just find an organization, ask for a kit, and then mail them a sample of your cheek cells. They keep you on a list in case you are a match for someone anywhere in the world. You can always decide not to go through with it and your identity is protected. Look at http://www.deletebloodcancer.org/

From a lymphoma survivor, thank you. I didn't need a transplant, but I could have, and I know many people who did. It's important to sign up when you're young..you never know when you'll become forever ineligible to donate, like I am now.

[–] deahunt 12 years ago

Thanks for adding your experience here. I had lymphoma so I know that little corner of the world somewhat well, but I enjoy hearing about the improvements in treatments for others too.

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