(A picture of how Laura's day started... Yes, all those test tubes are for her!)

Update from Lisa:

Today Mom spent a full day at Emory having her labs checked, a lumbar puncture and a bone marrow biopsy. Tomorrow she'll have an EKG and an Echo. All these tests are required in order to have clearance for the Bone Marrow Transplant.

We also found out definitive dates (I say definitive lightly [Yes, I know that's an oxymoron--but in my mind it IS definitive because nothing is going to go wrong. Period]. We are expecting all the test results to come back clear and to be given the go-ahead; if anything comes back abnormal then the transplant will be postponed). So on Wednesday, January 19th Mom will be admitted into the hospital: she will have FIVE days of chemo, a day of rest and then the actual transplant which will take place on Tuesday, January 25th. Starting from the 25th she will have to stay in the hospital 2.5 to 3.5 weeks--all depending on her white blood count and how her body and the new bone marrow react to the transplant.

A few things the doctor did want any caregivers to take note of:

-The first three days after transplant (26-28th) will be her hardest--supposedly; but knowing mom it'll be a walk in the park

-Any person coming to visit her in the hospital is STRONGLY advised to have a flu shot; they say shot instead of mist because the shot has dead flu cells whereas the mist doesn't

-Parking isn't free but the main caregiver can get a discount the first week (I know y'all find that really urgent news. I certainly did) ☺

Other than that, she has a few appoinments tomorrow and next Monday, the donor will have their blood drawn at some unidentified hospital on the 11th AND she is allowed to take walks around the block PLUS there is a stationary bike on the floor she will be staying at in Emory!

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Thank you, unkown donor!!!

And, now, a word from Laura:
The unknown donor and I are in this together....we are going to make it happen! Scheduled transplant date....1-25-11! We are both doing all kinds of stuff from now till then. The unknown donor has a lot going on too. What a sacrifice! I am so thankful for whoever you are.
--Laura

("LIGMO")

Tomorrow and Tuesday, Laura will go to Emory for lots and lots and lots of testing. I'm pretty sure it's safe to say she's not looking forward to it, but we all know that one of her mottos is "LIGMO" (Let it go. Move on.) so she's "facing the future with warm courage and high hopes." (Did I get that right, Lisa?)

Please pray that things go well and that all of our plans to get Laura well fast will happen just like they're supposed to happen.

If all goes according to plan, she'll be back at Emory on the 17th for 4 intensive days of chemo and then the wonderful bone marrow donor will be there to give THE GIFT.

Please continue to pray that the donor marrow is being prepared for a wonderful transition to its new home and that the marrow and Laura's body get along JUST FINE.

Here's to a new year of good things!!

Happy New Year

from

Clif, Lisa, Emily and Laura!

GoFightWin! in 2011!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today Lisa spoke at a friend's church about bone marrow donation... Here's what she said: 

Back in September my mother was diagnosed with leukemia. We found out in October that a bone marrow transplant was the only way her leukemia could be cured. The doctors told us that before the transplant can take place she must first find a donor. She had a good chance of finding a match, according to the doctors, because she has three siblings. So when the results came back that none of her siblings were matches, needless to say, we were all very shocked. We now had to keep faith that someone in the National Bone Marrow Registry—a complete stranger—would save our mom’s life.

My family has been very blessed. A ten out of ten match—a perfect match—was found not even a month later. Her transplant is scheduled for the end of January, and we are all praying that everything will go over smoothly.

 A bone marrow transplant is a serious, life-changing procedure. In most cases it is the patient’s only chance of survival. We don’t know who our donor is, and actually due to regulation won’t find out the identity until a year after the transplant. But my mother would not have this chance of curing her leukemia—of survival—of living more of her life, if it was not for her donor. We do not know the results of the transplant yet. But right now we are putting our faith in the donor, putting our faith in the doctors, and putting our faith in Christ that the transplant will be a success.

Although we have found our donor, many people out there are still looking for their's. What your church is doing today could potentially save a life. On behalf of my mother and our family we are honored to be a part of a community that is taking this active role in saving lives. Thank you for inviting me here today and for all your prayers and concern for my mother. My mom wanted to be here today, but unfortunately cannot be in large groups of people  in preparation for her transplant. But I know her heart’s here. Thank you again. 

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Later tonight, they had some guests drop by:



Merry Christmas!!

♥

Laura has received the pre-evaluation schedule for the transplant.

On January 3rd, she goes to Emory and they'll do all kinds of tests: physical, lab work, a CT of her chest/sinus, lumbar puncture, and a bone marrow biopsy. (That's all in ONE DAY.) Then on Tuesday, January 4th, she'll have an echocardiogram and then an EKG and then at the end of the day she'll have a pulmonary function test.

It sounds like a lot. It IS a lot.

And, then, (I think I'm right, but Laura can correct me in the comments) if all of that looks good, she'll have four days of intensive chemo which will be followed by the transplant.

The truth is that the after-effects of the transplant can be VERY unpleasant. I don't fully understand it, but there is a period of adjustment where the donor marrow kind of rebels against her body.

Please pray with me that Laura's body will welcome the new marrow with open arms. Pray that the donor marrow will feel like it has arrived at home. Pray that the transition will be smooth and with as little discomfort as possible...I would love it (TRULY LOVE IT) if this transplant was miraculously uneventful and pleasant. (I believe in asking for what you want.)

Please pray that Laura will be at peace over the next few weeks and that the Christmas season will be full of joy and fun things.

Thank you all for supporting Laura and the rest of her family. There is no way you can ever know how much it means to us.

Wishing you a very happy Christmas and wishing all of us an amazingly wonderful 2011!!

GoFightWin!!!!!!!!!

Laura's WBC was .5 today. It's low, but it's supposed to be low. So, she has to continue to wear the mask, stay away from crowds and stay away from anybody who might have the slightest hint of illness.

She won't be able to participate in any of the festivities happening tomorrow in Leesburg... And, it's gonna be a BIG day in Leesburg!  She's gonna have to miss Breakfast with Santa, the big parade with Buster Posey (MLB's Rookie of the Year) as grand marshall, the street vendors, the Dog Gone Good Christmas dog show (new this year), and the Holly Follies tomorrow night. 

Maybe Emily can take some pictures.

Monday she'll begin a 5 day cycle of Decitabine -- a type of chemo. Then we'll wait to hear from Emory to find out when she'll go in to have CAT scans, MUGA's, and other tests before the actual transplant. Before the transplant she'll have three days of intense chemo to actually bottom-out her white blood count. She needs to be as close to 0 as possible.

Then it's transplant time.

Please pray for Laura as her body gets ready for the transplant. Pray for the donor that his/her bone marrow will be ready to move to its new home. Pray for a smooth transition for that marrow. We've heard that the donor marrow has a hard time adjusting to it's new environment. Please pray that this will be as easy on Laura as possible. And, please pray that the WHOLE transplant will be a success!

Also, pray for all of Laura's family -- that the children and siblings and other loved ones will know how to be helpful and can be the exact kind of support that Laura needs.

I am praying for an exciting, long, pleasant and happy adventure for Laura when this particular chapter of her life is over. She deserves a lot of happy!

Thank you again, DONOR, for your gift to Laura and to all of us who love her.

December 1st is a day to remember.

Today is the anniversary of Rosa Parks staying in her seat.



It's also the first day of Hanukkah....



And!!

 It's the day they found a donor for Laura!!!

Her donor is a 10 out of 10 match!
(Didn't I ask y'all to pray for a perfect match?!)

Thank you, Mr. or Ms. Donor, for your gift to our family.
Love,
Everyone who loves Laura.