Chemo Part Deux

Good morning!

I get a pass from the fashion police!  I only was in the hall for a walk to coffee and back - 1 minute.  "Lookin' good, Billy Ray!"

Chemo!  Second verse same as the first. Hopefully.

So far (knock on wood...) I have been lucky to have had no side effects, been eating well, and have lots of strength and energy.

Here is my hospital's website with tons of info on my Leukemia, type ALL.

http://www.bmtga.com

Although my schedule is not set in stone, I was told yesterday it is time to ask my siblings if they would be willing to be tested to see if they are a match. Then, ask would they be willing to donate.  (Probably the wrong order, but....). I got 2 affirmatives. (Thank you!). We have a 25% chance of a full match and a 50% chance of a half match. They want a full match, but have done half matches.  But if my siblings are not a match, they will look for a full match on the National Donor List. It's still like looking for a needle in a haystack, but a possibility. The list is comprised of healthy individuals between the ages of 18 and 44 who are healthy and willing to donate to a total stranger. Wow.

More info at http://bethematch.org

So after the shock of maybe needing a transplant and having to ask for help (BIG help) the question is - why. Quite simply, a bone marrow transplant will give me healthy cells that will grow healthy blood cells. Healthy blood cells are needed to fight infections. Good deal. The transplant will help me recover from chemo. In addition, healthy donor cells have the ability to kill some type of cancer cells.

Is it going to happen? Still don't know. When I complete this series of chemo, I look forward to my 3rd bone marrow biopsy. (" I wouldn't say I missed it, Bob"). They will evaluate the specimen on a molecular level and determine the next course of action. As I understand it, we have a choice of a) many months long chemo alone or b) a shorter chemo schedule coupled with a bone marrow transplant. The team of doctors will make this decision for me and explain it in detail.

I asked if they would want my bone marrow when I am healthy again. There are some who would freeze I and keep it for me if I have a relapse. Unfortunately that is not an option with my type of cancer. So, let's just go for remission and sticking there. Forever.

Today I got my welcome kit. I got swag! You know my obsession with tote bags, apparently they do too.  More importantly, I got a blanket! (I hear it's warm outside so the thought of a fleece xwarm cozy wrap probably makes you sweat! I am laughing!). But most importantly is the binder which will probably answer 90% of my questions. I will study the "how to" manual in my spare time << sarcasm.

SHOUT OUT !!

I have a hard time keeping track of the days in the real world, but I hear today is Dave Hamilton's Birthday.  To celebrate I dressed up in Melissa's Grandmother's hat for the occasion. It's gorgeous! If you see Dave, give him a hug for me!

So, big day. Good times.