Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!

Big News:  Niece Amy Lyn swabbed with Be the Match Bone Marrow Registry when her Uncle Jeff was diagnosed seven years ago.  She requested a swab kit online and waited, like many other eager potential donors.  Unlike most on the registry who are never called, Amy Lyn is needed!  She is scheduled to donate marrow for a little girl with a blood cancer.  We are so proud of her and happy she can help another recipient family.  It brings tears to my eyes whenever I think of it.

It is fascinating to hear about the process from the donor side, in real time.  (Nicole has told us a lot about her experience but, of course, we didn’t meet her until a year and a half after Jeff’s transplant.)  After Amy Lyn completed an online health questionnaire, answered questions about Zika exposure, and completed screening blood work, she was told she would be notified within 60 days if she was selected.  A week later she learned she is The Golden One!  The donation is scheduled for December.  She will have a pint of her blood drawn in a couple of weeks to have on hand – in case she needs replenishing after her donation later in the month.  Amy Lyn is a nurse who is, oddly, squeamish about needles.  Uncle Jeff assures her, “You can get over that.”  Stay tuned for more on Amy Lyn’s adventures in marrow donation.

 

Jeff’s doctor visits have all been pretty good.  At hematology/oncology, his hemoglobin was 14.5.  This is well within the normal range and about as high as his gets.  Dr. Porter persistently tries to get Jeff off of the immunosuppressant.  I call it The Great Experiment That Always Fails.  Blood work within a month will tell whether he can safely stay off of Mycophenolate or if he will have to go back on it (at a higher dosage than he’d been taking). 

The vein specialist prescribed compression stockings for both of his legs - instead of just one - to be worn “always”.  So we’ll buy a few more.  (Do they come in pairs?)  January will be another “doctor month” or more accurately, “lab and doctor month”. 

   

Prayers are needed for Amy Lyn, her recipient and the recipient family.  May that little girl and her parents feel the love of all of the folks on the donor side who are hoping Amy Lyn’s marrow performs miracles.