Living Life

We have had beautiful Spring weather for the past couple of weeks and we have all enjoyed it tremendously. With the BMT team busy working behind the scenes, it has been great for Eric to have a break and live life without chemo or neupogen shots or multiple weekly appointments.

Eric is still doing great; feeling good and ready to get this transplant done!

ODSP has approved his disability claim and that will certainly relieve some of the financial stress and worry. And to hand out kudos when they are due, ODSP and Ontario Works have been very helpful and prompt in their applications process and approvals. I had heard of and read about many, many complaints regarding ODSP, their slow response times, need for multiple appeals etc. None of that happened. The doctors provided all information that was requested, Eric completed the paperwork in a timely manner and then ODSP reviewed and approved within the expected timeframe. Eric truly needs this support and the bureaucracy worked as it should for him.

Finally, I want to thank all of you who have joined OneMatch or donated blood. Remember, joining OneMatch is easy. You do not need an appointment - it's an online form, a phone call from a nurse and then mailing back a couple of cheek swabs. It literally takes only minutes. There is no cost. You can save a life.

Opening a Window Somewhere?

Have you ever heard the saying, “When God closes a door, he opens a window”? This refers to the belief that whether outcomes be good or bad, another opportunity will present itself.

The bone marrow harvest did not provide adequate stem cells to consider an autologous transplant. After 3 separate attempts to collect stem cells including multiple chemo protocols, hundreds of neupogen injections and finally surgery, we need to close this door and look for a window.

Potential donors are being identified to find the best match for Eric.

As we know more I will update this blog. In the meantime, if you or your family and friends are eligible to join the Bone Marrow Donor Registry, please do so.

In Canada, the registry is OneMatch . Joining is free and it is as simple as a questionaire and cheek swabs -- you don't have to make an appointment or provide a blood sample to join. If I can do it, you can do it too.

In the US, the Thanks Mom campaign is now active. This means you can join the registry between May 5 - May 19 for no cost.

We would be honoured if you would join on Eric's behalf.

No News

Sorry folks - no update yet from the BMT team. Will have to wait til next week.

Marrow Harvest

Eric's surgery went fine - he is back home feeling like he has has his butt kicked hard!

We won't know until tomorrow if they were able to collect sufficient cells to proceed with an auto transplant.