PET scan done and Waiting

We are back in Houston and got the PET today.  Tomorrow we will see two of his doctors and should find out the results.  We should find out if he is ready for the transplant.  We will also see the Transplant Coordinator, who said that she will update us tomorrow with all of the potential donors.  We do know someone from the Donor Registry is going in tomorrow to get more testing and from their sequences so far, there is a good chance they will be a good match.  However, someone else who has a really good chance to be a good match has not responded yet to the request to go in.

So, as we wait for results, we thank you so much for your concern and prayers.  And also your prayers for the potential donors to respond quickly to go in for more testing. Thank you!

Going Back to Texas

We leave on Saturday to go back to Houston.  The PET scan will be on Monday, so we will probably find out on Tuesday what is shows and what that means.  So as we prepare to go down, we don't know what to expect and how long we will be there.  If Michael can get the transplant now, we could be in Houston for 4 months.  But if Michael is ready, there may not be a donor located and ready so we may come back for a while.
As far as the search for the donor, the last we heard from Kate (who is really on top of this), there are nine potential donors from the Donor Registry.  Seven of them need more testing, and the other two show some promise that there could be a match.  We would appreciate prayers that all of these potential donors respond quickly to get in for further check ups.
Several friends and family members have been tested or are in the process.  Hopefully we will know on these in the next two weeks or less.
As always, we thank you for all of your prayers.

Not so Fast

The time home has been going by quickly.  Michael looks good.  He enjoyed his trip up to Ames and the time he spent with friends there.  We have been busy packing for the next trip--and working on taxes.  We plan to leave a week from tomorrow.  

Today, we found out Melissa is not a good match. We also found out that Michael's testing on his blood sample was delayed by about three weeks due to an insurance delay (and we had been initially thrilled when the insurance did not change as we thought there would be less delays).  So it looks like the process of finding a donor will be delayed by about three weeks.  So, we will probably come back after the PET scan for a few weeks, instead of moving into the transplant. 

Since this is very frustrating, we are asking for more prayers.  In addition to your prayers for Michael's strength and health, we would ask you to pray for three people who may be able to speed up the process for Michael at the insurance company and MD Anderson--Denise, Shannon and Kate.

As always, thank you for all of your concern and your prayers!!

Home for a bit

We made it home this last Saturday morning and will be home about three weeks.  We drove and had a car full of our stuff and left more stuff in a storage unit.  We've been busy with keeping everything organized that will be going back.  And there is lots of paper work and it is time to start on taxes.  Michael and Mark will go up on Sunday to Ames to pick up his truck and then Michael will stay for a few days.  Michael has had a chance to get together with friends a few times here.  He still gets tired easily, but is doing well.
Melissa and several more friends and family are in the process of being tested to see if they match to Michael.  We may know prior to going down to Houston for the PET on Jan 31 if there is a match, either from these being done now or from the Donor Registry.  
The transplant could be as soon as early February, but he may have to wait.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers

Interest in Potential Donors for Michael's Transplant

But first, today was a big day, Michael finished his radiation--all 25 treatments.  The next step will be a PET scan on Jan 31.  So we will start home on this Friday and be home about 3 weeks.  Michael's labs yesterday showed his white count is still low, so he is more susceptible to infections.
About potential donors, we have had several friends approach us about being a donor for the transplant.  And thank you as well to those who have let us know they are already on the Donor Registry.  Through the traditional (and free way), it is sounds like it will take too long to determine if someone is a match prior to his need.
However, there is a private lab that for a fee of $175 will run the initial screening (and there are several scholarships available).  If someone wants to be checked, it is an initial cheek swab, if that is a match, then more tests are done.  As time is a factor, we  need to proceed quickly.
This is only a brief overview, for more info if interested you can go to www.dkmsamericas.org to find out more of what is required and restrictions.  Please feel free to e-mail at mrsmrhilltop@aol.com or call or text Michael at 816-807-6015 or Brenda at 816-807-6014.
Also, please note that if anyone is interested in checking to be a donor, that they should know it is unlikely that they would be a match for Michael--and if you're not a match, you can take the next step if you want and join the Donor Registry to potentially help someone in the future.  Michael's best chance of someone he knows being a match is his sister, Melissa, whose chance of being a good match is one out of four.  We will not find out if she is a match for at least two weeks.  The transplant could start as soon as 3 1/2 weeks or it could  be later.
Time to get back to packing.
And as always, thank you for your prayers

Wishing all a Happy New Year

We are still waiting to find out the next step, but hopefully we will find out soon.  Michael and I will probably be able to come home for at least a week or two  prior to the transplant.  
Michael's friend James came for a few days and he left today.  I went to a nearby hotel and worked on paperwork and got a chance to read and relax.  They went to the Gulf, went to a New Year's Party in Houston and just hung around.  I know it was a nice break for him.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and as always thank you for every prayer!