eyesonthesky

Just wondering if it might be possible to catch a ride to the DZ, my plane arrives at 10:30am. I took the shuttle last time and after trying to pretend to be: asleep, entranced by the incredibly scenic drive, deep in thought, car sick, etc while the driver tried to hit on me, I've decided to try another route this time! Thanks, Shannon

I want to highlight one part of Ian's post, and that it to participate in the bone marrow registry. Joe was incredibly fortunate to have a 100% matched donor, not once but twice (the first lady backed out, so a man was his actual donor). This was in itself a near miracle, as Joe is mixed race - Brazilian and Caucasian - and finding donors for such patients is VERY difficult and they usually end up being about a 60% match at best. The more people on the registry, the better chance patients like Joe have of a successful transplant. Becoming part of the registry is as simple as having a blood test and filling out some paperwork. I both belong to the registry and give blood. Keep praying for Joe!

I have to agree with you that cancer sucks. I work at our local cancer centre performing radiation treatments and as a result have seen more sad stories than I could ever recount...at the same time, I have seen some tremendous responses to treatment and even a few "miracles". I pray that you and your family won't have to deal with this terrible disease again. Remember to take care of yourself so that you have the strength to help out your mom, regardless of what the diagnosis is.

I spent the entire afternoon with Joe and his parents today. Joe is very tired and in quite a bit of discomfort from the effects of his radiation treatments and now the transplant. Joe will have the last part of his transplant tonight at approx 7:30 mountain standard time. So far things have gone pretty well, a few delays prepping the donor cells but thus far Joe's system has been coping about as well as we could have expected. The family is amazed to hear that there are so many people they have never met are praying for/thinking of Joe. I am thinking of printing some of this thread to make a poster for his room. Thank you all so much! Shannon

Thanks very much to everyone, I am on my way to the Children's hospital right now to see how things are going. Shannon

I will start by saying that I work at the cancer centre here in Calgary Canada and am sending this request for prayers (if you believe in the same) or good vibes for a patient of mine. Joseph P. is a little boy who will be 2 years old in April of this year. I treated him after he was diagnosed with a second recurrence of leukemia (3 diagnosis total). We treated the site of recurrence over 2 weeks in Feb and then he had chemotherapy and total body irradiation to completely ablate his immune system. He then underwent a bone marrow transplant yesterday. His is very ill right now and things are very risky for the next 21-30 days (he will be unable to even leave his room at the hospital during this time and visitors will be very limited). My request is that you pray for/think of Joe and his parents (Evandra and Aaron) and for Joe's recovery from this terrible disease. Thanks