June 13th, 2006

God has been so gracious to me. I’m so thankful. I’ve had three great days in a row. But, the best news is that today is the first day that ALL my blood components have gone in the right direction. Some of the changes are small, but all in the right direction. If this trend continues, I will not have to get transfusions until the stem cell transplant process, if that is God’s plan.

In one day my absolute neutrophil count (ANC) went from 238 to 347. That is impressive since it took a month to go from <30 to 154 and two days to go from 154 to 347. When my ANC count reaches 500 I will not be considered neutropenic and can be normal again. My hemoglobin, hematacrit, and even the platelets are all slightly up, relieving the need for transfusions. ONLY GOD

A good friend has stepped up to research and possibly organize an individual donor typing drive (or drives) for me. This process will determine any possible matches in days, rather than months. At this drive there will be opportunity for people to sign up for the National Registry and to give blood. I’m hoping that people understand how, with relatively small risk and discomfort to them, they can offer a chance for life to another. John 15:12-13: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, thay he lay down his life for his friends.

I did find out that it takes from several weeks to months to get an answer from the National Registry as to whether there is an existing stem cell donor match for me or not. The process goes like this. They search their files for possible matches. Then they attempt to contact any possible matches with the news that they are the same type as someone with need. Unfortunately many donors move and don’t notify the registry with new contact info. The possible matches contacted then need to reply whether they are or not interested in still being a donor. If one or more possible matches respond with a yes, then they need to have more involved testing done because when people are initially blood typed they are tested for 5 of 6 needed matches. The fresh match also checks for changes and diseases. If the fresh testing proves an exact match, then the registry will notify OHSU that there is a match.

Thanks again for your prayers. Please continue.