Resistance is up, but mom's raring to fight!

We found out today that Mom's resistance to transplant went up after going steadily down last week. The hospital has responded by increasing the treatments so on what were her days off she'll be having treatments. This means she'll get treatments every day with the goal that the transplant date will not change. Mom's spirits are high and the fighter in her just motivates her to try harder. She's not taking this laying down!!

Letters, Packages & Visits - Thanks!

My mom received some packages and letters today and Friday. Thanks for all the thoughtful wishes and items! We love getting mail and when it comes we both sit together as she opens them and enjoy it together.

We also received some visits yesterday. Cousin Frankie stopped by and later my mom's niece Lea and her husband-to-be Scott stopped by. Lea and Scott brought us things we'll be able to use to entertain ourselves over the coming weeks. Thanks for the company and visits! They mean a lot to us as we prepare for mom's chemo which begins this Saturday.

In other news, her resistance to transplant is decreasing every day as she goes through her pre-transplant treatment which continues this week.

Past week's progress and last week before chemo

My great Aunt Sandy spent the last week plus with my mom, cooking her great food and being a great support. She stayed until Tuesday to transfer the knowledge of caregiving to me once I arrived Monday. Thanks Aunt Sandy! She's a tough act to follow.

Mom went through plasmapheresis treatments this week without much incident, which is wonderful. Wednesday mom's blood pressure dropped some during plasmapheresis, but later in the day despite her fatigue from medication, she still motivated to do a nice long walk. Her blood counts have been pretty good considering and her blood pressure was normal today, and actually higher than mine since I am pregnant. Good job mom! They give her medication which makes her tired when she gets treatment, but today she was very chipper.

This is her last full week before chemotherapy starts on August 1. Chemotherapy will continue for several days leading up to the transplant which is currently scheduled for August 7. This is definitely a great time to send letters, words of encouragement or to call or visit mom. If you don't have her address or phone, just contact us here on the Contact Page. Please send your prayers, good energy and thoughts to her in the coming weeks.

Roller Coaster

I think it's safe to say that these last few weeks have been a roller coaster ride! With some last minute changes in the treatment plan, we are trying to refocus on the upcoming transplant. Last week it was finalized that Meredith will be the donor. The date is likely August 7. We won't know until about a week before the transplant. Margy is undergoing at least 8 rounds of plasmapheresis to remove antibodies that she developed to foreign B-cells. The goal is to remove enough of these antibodies before the transplant, lessening the chances of rejection.

So, things are underway! It has been a long time coming, and with great patience, we finally made it! Margy is in Baltimore now and started her pre-transplant protocol. Margy had her pheresis catheter placed on Tuesday and the operation went very well. Her first day of plasmapheresis was a bit rough, but they are making necessary adjustments to her treatment so that she will tolerate it better. Aunt Sandy is staying with Margy this week. She brought a whole cooler filled with homemade dinners, jams and baked goods. Thank you Aunt Sandy! The torch will be passed to Aprille when she arrives on Monday.

It's been a long journey so far and there is still a lot ahead. We thank our friends, family, and people we have never even met for your continued support and generosity. Please keep praying for a successful transplant!