Thursday June 11th ...Update

Charmaine had a very good day today, almost normal feeling except for some light headedness. This is probably from her #'s starting to fall. We will check in at 8:30 am at Emory tomorrow for 6 days of recovery time. During this time she will get platelet transfusions and probably some blood also to build her counts back to normal. We will come home next Wednesday late or Thursday early if no surprises happen. Then 6 days at home. The best 6 days of the month for her. She will not be getting any chemo this trip.

I have been wanting to tell you some of the things we learned last week on the 8th floor(transplant floor).

Did you know that when she gets the transplant and the new marrow grafts into her bones she will assume the blood type of the donor!!!!!!!!!! She has A+ blood. If the donor has A- one day, all of a sudden, she will have that type blood. Each time they give her a transfusion after the transplant they will type her blood to see if a change has occured. Isn't that amazing.

Also, 70% of the people that get a transplant have to have an outside donor. Even if you had siblings to donate it only 25% chance they would match. A young male is the best donor.

Also, we learned that 90% of the time they do a stem cell transplant instead of a marrow transplant. They say it is easier on the donor(they get it from their blood not the marrow) and the receiver has an easier time grafting it. We are not sure which she will get. The Dr. said we would talk about that later.

They have narrowed the donors for her down to to 2 people. They will start testing for the best. The process is under way for the transplant.

Thank You all for the very special phone calls. You'll never know how much they mean to me. Especially to you Russ.

Thank you to our close friends for your support and understanding even when she doesn't feel like vistors. You mean more to me than you'll ever know.

Thank you Ramona and Renee for coming and cleaning our house while we were at the hospital.

Thank you Anthony and Alecia for all you do and for being our friends.

Thank you to the ones who have brought food to us when we come home.

I am overwhelmed by all the care, love, and support we have received.

Sam