12/4 b

jani says i haven't been specific enough about my treatment options. so... as i've said the doctors are very happy with my progress. the best case scenario with the variant of leukemia i have is a stem cell transplant from a donor. initially we were told my brother greg was a match, but subsequent testing has shown he's "not their first choice". i know this broke my brother's heart, because he wanted to help in any way he could. they are doing a bone marrow bank search to try to find a "perfect match" for me. i think it just excuse to inject more money into their research coffers. i've been told they have found a couple of matches, but we are waiting for the donors to get checked again. i'm on the donor's schedule as to when they want to go in as an outpatient and donate their stem cells (a component of their blood). i see the oncologist on 12/11, and hopefully will have more info about the possible donors then. if no donors can be found, the second treatment option is to continue the consolidation treatments. i just finished the first one and would need three more. the positive of this is that the consolidations are 5-6 day stays, where the transplant is a 4 week stay. i am going to u of c tomorrow for a blood draw. they want to monitor my blood counts, and give me a transfusion if necessary. i'll also get a blood draw next monday, and 3 times a week until my counts recover. i hope this answers some questions, and i'll post info as i get it. keep the faith.