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Transcript of Tim’s Story

Tim: When I was diagnosed, I was absolutely shocked. I went in for a routine physical. The doctor did some blood work for me and called me up about a week later and said there must be something wrong in the lab, you've gotta come back in and do a retest.

Kathy: I had been noticing some changes in him. You know you don’t know whether it’s because we were aging or what we were doing, so then to hear the diagnosis, it was like OK how did we miss, like did I miss something, was there a way I could have done something better.

Caitlin: I don’t think anything can prepare you for your dad sitting you down and telling you that he’s sick. From the minute he told us, it was just like taking information in with a firehose….

Tim: I initially was diagnosed with MDS. I had a clinical trial that unfortunately didn’t work. My MDS was moved to AML and that’s when my doctor prescribed or suggested I move to Vyxeos.

Kathy: Tim really decided from the moment he was diagnosed that he was going to beat this. And he wasn’t going to become the patient. He was going to take all the responsibility for what he needed to get through it.

Caitlin: We all heard what he said and we all knew that he was going to go at this with everything he had, and that I think we all decided that we were going to do everything we could to support him.

Tim: My approach to how I was going to battle the illness was to fight it, to work really hard and do everything I could to put myself in the best position to be successful.

Tim: It was important to me to have a routine. I walked three times a day...they had a white board in my hospital room that every morning they would come in and give me the white count, the red count. Monitoring that every day and watching it kept me motivated and helped me stay focused on getting well.

Tim: I was fortunate enough to only need one cycle of Vyxeos, which led to remission.

Tim: The doctor said that I would have to have a transplant in order to survive my leukemia, so that was the only option that I had, which motivated me even more to do my part to get to transplant.

Tim: I was very, very lucky to have a number of exact matches. We set a date for the end of the year, in December, and worked towards that goal.

Tim: I think my advice for people is to prepare yourself for this journey. It is difficult, but it’s not impossible. I would tell everyone to try to get in the best shape they could in the time they have in preparing.

Tim: I would definitely set up a group that will support you—friends, family. I started a blog, which was very important to me. It helped me communicate my status to important people in my life and it also gave them the opportunity to communicate with me, encouraging me so that was very important. Having a diary or a journal is important because it keeps you true to yourself; it helps you keep fighting.

Tim: Life is definitely different than it was before I was diagnosed. And being in full remission, I think I have a different perspective in life. I think every day is a gift. Enjoying people and every day—making the best out of every day is very important to me now.

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WHAT IS VYXEOS?

VYXEOS is an intravenous (IV) chemotherapy used for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 1 year and older with certain types of newly-diagnosed secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML): therapy-related AML (t-AML) or AML with myelodysplasia-related changes (AML-MRC).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: VYXEOS has different dosage recommendations from other medications that contain daunorubicin and/or cytarabine. Do not substitute VYXEOS for other daunorubicin and/or cytarabine-containing products.

VYXEOS should not be given to patients who have a history of serious allergic reaction to daunorubicin, cytarabine, or any of its ingredients.

VYXEOS can cause a severe decrease in blood cells (red and white blood cells and cells that prevent bleeding, called platelets) which can result in serious infection or bleeding and possibly lead to death. Your doctor will monitor your blood counts during treatment with VYXEOS. Patients should tell the doctor about new onset fever or symptoms of infection or if they notice signs of bruising or bleeding.

VYXEOS can cause heart-related side effects. Tell your doctor about any history of heart disease, radiation to the chest, or previous chemotherapy. Inform your doctor if you develop symptoms of heart failure such as:

  • shortness of breath or trouble breathing
  • swelling or fluid retention, especially in the feet, ankles, or legs
  • unusual tiredness

VYXEOS may cause allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis such as:

  • trouble breathing
  • severe itching
  • skin rash or hives
  • swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or tongue

VYXEOS contains copper and may cause copper overload in patients with Wilson’s disease or other copper-processing disorders.

VYXEOS can damage the skin if it leaks out of the vein. Tell your doctor right away if you experience symptoms of burning, stinging, or blisters and skin sores at the injection site.

VYXEOS can harm your unborn baby. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing. Do not breastfeed while receiving VYXEOS. Females and males of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months following the last dose of VYXEOS.

The most common side effects were bleeding events, fever, rash, swelling, nausea, sores in the mouth or throat, diarrhea, constipation, muscle pain, tiredness, stomach pain, difficulty breathing, headache, cough, decreased appetite, irregular heartbeat, pneumonia, blood infection, chills, sleep disorders, and vomiting.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Jazz Pharmaceuticals at 1-800-520-5568.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED Warning, and discuss with your doctor.

Important Safety Information

VYXEOS has different dosage recommendations from other medications that contain daunorubicin and/or cytarabine. Do not substitute VYXEOS for other daunorubicin and/or cytarabine-containing products.