Life is filled with irony

9/21/10

Teri’s neutrophil (bacteria fighting white cells) counts have not rebounded to normal on the Neulasta injection (stimulates white cell production in the bone marrow).  She remains neutropenic, thrombocytopenic (low in clotting platelets), and anemic (red cells) ever since her last 6^th round of chemotherapy. 

In clinic today, we learned from Dr. H. that this could result from a viral infection, myelodysplasia (abnormal bone marrow soil bed), or what we fear the most.  Teri will need another bone marrow aspiration next week to determine what is going on.

AND THEN we learned that there is a 7 of 8 (HLA white cell surface markers) MATCHED DONOR in Japan – a good one - that has been confirmed.  WOW!

How do we process these two opposing events?

Lucy, (from college) and friend June came from Long Island to cook Chinese-Jewish-Italian for two days. Teri’s brother Tony visited from California and has been making bao (Chinese bread and buns) from scratch.  Steve brought home made chicken soup. Love, friendship and food, can’t get any better than that.

Her 7^th bone marrow aspiration is next Tuesday morning.  A lot … is riding on it.  The results (quiet or leukemic marrow) determine if another round of (starting over) induction chemotherapy is required, what kind of transplant is optimum, and when.

Teri needs your prayers, thoughts, Reike, agnostic telepathy – all are needed and appreciated this weekend for a good outcome next Tuesday.

Today, our emotions rocked and rolled as we faced the worrisome unknown while absorbing the incredible news about the prospective matched donor.  We are constantly buffeted by the unexpected, inopportune timing, fortuitous occurrence, and even fortunate serendipity.  Ever since Feb we’ve been searching for the matched donor and now a miracle has happened.  All the hard work you have invested in bone marrow registration drives, in spreading the awareness that registering is invaluable and life saving will not be forgotten by our family.  Others with cancer and blood diseases will have a greater chance to survive because of you!          Love and gratitude.  Kick butt!