Carol is in Texas!

I am overdue for an update on what all is going on with Philip's Mom, Carol. She made the decision last week to pursue getting a bone marrow transplant here in Texas instead of staying with the doctors she was with in Miami (where she lives). She arrived here on Friday and had an appointment with a bone marrow transplant specialist on Monday afternoon. They did some lab work and other tests and she will have a follow up appointment with the doctor to discuss the results on this coming Monday afternoon. She may possibly need some chemo therapy while they look for a donor to keep her in a sort or "remission."

They have accepted her as a patient and have begun the search for a bone marrow donor. This process takes 4-6 weeks on average, but due to the fact that Carol is of 100% Russian heritage it may take a little longer and they are having to search the international registry as well as the US registry. Once they find the donor it will take another 4-6 weeks of testing on the donor and Carol before the actual transplant process can begin.

She has moved in with Philip's Dad and will spend her time there during the 2 month (minimum) wait for the transplant. She is still very weak and easily fatigued from her previous rounds of chemo and all the complications she suffered during those treatments. She has lost a lot of weight, almost all of her hair and still has limited use of her fingers. Her feet and backside ache as well as her hands and she is always tired. Please keep her in your prayers. Pray for increased strength and over all health (mental, spiritual and physical). Please pray for the family so that we may all support her to the best of our abilities. Finally pray for a donor to be found as quickly as possible and for all the medical staff dealing with her case.

Thanks as always. We are very glad to have her close by.