Sorry for the long hiatus. Things have been much the same since our last
posting. Gloria's blood counts have recovered to a safer level, so we
are breathing a collective sigh of relief. Once again, she escaped the
dreaded "fever" that indicates infection. The big news is that a date
has been set for bone marrow transplant (more accurately, stem cell
transplant). Admission to The James
Is scheduled for December 4 with actual transplant (infusion) of donor
stem cells to take place on December 11. We will post more detail about
the process later.
In the meantime, Gloria and Sidney will spend this Thursday and Friday
in Columbus to receive information and extensive testing. Although
Gloria is quite healthy, multiple sessions of chemotherapy through a
central line can result in damage to organs, particularly the heart and
kidneys. We are optimistic that she has escaped any real damage as she
has no symptoms and feels well. She will undergo another bone marrow
biopsy, described by her as "not much fun." This will show whether or
not she is still in remission and a candidate for the transplant. At the
same time, somewhere in the world, a very generous person, known by us
only as "the donor," is being tested to make sure that no hepatitis or
other disease that could be transmitted exists. We won't know the
results of donor testing until November 26. Fingers crossed!
This has already been a long journey, and we are all so appreciative of
the steadfast support and love we continue to receive from friends and
family. We still have a long way to go, but with your help, we'll get
there.
Love,
Karen, Rebecca, Sidney, and Gloria
