Not a BIG update to my last post, but we’ve recently learned a few things:
- OCTOBER 21: Testing starts to check every conceivable part/function of his body to ensure he’s healthy enough for the transplant.
- NOVEMBER 5: Admittance to the hospital (University of Washington Medical Center) for 5 days of chemo to kill his immune system.
- NOVEMBER 14: Transplant + 3-4 weeks hospital stay, assuming all goes well. People in the transplant world refer to this as a “re-birthday” and celebrate it each year.
- WHERE WE’LL STAY: We got some clarification on this. R should be near UW Hospital and Fred Hutch Cancer Center for 30 days after his release from the hospital.
- PETE GROSS HOUSE: Fred Hutch housing, a few blocks from the cancer center. We’ve requested a one-bedroom unit with a small kitchen. They have a shuttle that operates daily, going back and forth. R will have tests and check-ups nearly every day for a while to see how his body responds to the new stem cells.
- R’s donor lives in Europe. Eventually, the doctors will tell us which country, as a matter of curiosity.
Now that we’re in this critical phase, I’m unsure how frequently to post updates going forward. Perhaps weekly? I’m also unsure whether I should continue posting links on Facebook for friends and family or simply ask them to visit the site whenever they want to know what’s happening. I don’t want to overwhelm anyone!
Thanks for all the love and support.
Myelofibrosis--A Personal Journey 
Leave a comment