Day Minus 11 !!

Onward, to transplant day! Day Zero is July 31- one day after Margie's birthday!
Back from Mexico, so now can report from the comfort of my own computer. The last post being a bit cryptic due to the fact that the keyboard, part of the site and html didn't translate from Mexico, so a large part of that blog didn't post.

First off, Dr. Ranier Storb- He's none other than the man that developed/invented the mini transplant! Way to go Margie!
You can read more about him if you're so inclined by following the links over the the right there to the fred hutchinson center and also the mini transplant link.

I spoke with Margie last night, she sounds good. Her spinal/cranial radiation ends on monday. She's had only a couple of known side effects: nasea and fatigue to the tune of afternoon/evening naps. Still in the center everday for the radiation, blood draws to check her numbers as the climb up very slowly from the last round of chemo- All the literature sites that the longer one has leukemia and in and out of remission and more chemo, the longer it takes for the blood numbers to recover.
If we go back in time a year ago, with her first inductions of chemo, some of you may recall that her numbers (white, red blood cells, platelets, hematacrit and a bunch of other blood numbers that I can't spell) came back up fast and furious-

So, her numbers are slower to recover now, she goes in for a transfusion today and is still getting platelets on an as-needed basis.

But, all systems go for Transplant day: Day Zero
Cathy (her donor) will plug back in about a week before, to re-take a couple of tests that were done back when this was first scheduled, and then take four or so days of drugs to increase her stem cell production. She'll be doing the actual donating
on July 30 and 31. All the details are on some previous post of mine if you're interested in knowing more about this very interesting transplant procedure, email me and I'll point you to additional information: kers@att.net

That's it for now, dears-
I know I share everyone's feelings that all of our prayers, thoughts and best positive feelings go out to Margie and Robert and Cathy as she heads full steam toward transplant day-

Love, Kathleen