Monday, November 25, 2013

T Minus 1 Day Til' Transplant

11/25/13 – With my second day of getting ATG I hit a bit of brick wall. It was probably the combination of the ATG and the Benadryl that really exhausted me.

Today I get my last dose of ATG and a dose of Rituximab. Being they both have Benadryl as part of the pre-meds I guess I will have another sleepy day.

Another huge part of today is that this is the day that the donor will be donating his stem cells. I do not know much about that wonderfully generous person, hopefully someday I will. What I do know is that the donor is a white male, who is 35 years old and has either lives or had lived in Europe. He is an 8 out of 10 match with the mismatches not being in areas of big concern.

I am just so grateful to my donor, and for that matter, anyone who is willing to help others with whatever they need. This generosity reminds me of a fantastic song my Matt Maher “Hold Us Together”. Here is a link to it, enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut0ENzQcjrM

Then the King will say, ‘For sure, I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of My brothers, you have done it to Me.’
Matthew 25:40-45


More to come…

 http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
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6 comments:

  1. MickNovember 25, 2013 at 2:44 PM

    Hi Rich. We are following your progress. Sounds like so far so good. I have so many people praying for me that I feel a covering of protection. You must feel the same way. We will stay in touch as well as to send prayers your way. Mick and Kathy

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  2. Andy LilienthalNovember 25, 2013 at 6:12 PM

    I just found this blog site. My father is going through MCL right now, so it is interesting to follow someeone else's progress with this nasty disease. I wish you the best of luck.

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  3. KenNovember 26, 2013 at 6:36 AM

    Rooting for you today, Rich, and eagerly looking forward to your first post-transfusion blog!

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  4. Rich FrancoNovember 26, 2013 at 7:22 AM

    Ken,

    I am also looking forward to getting past this and will gladly share my experience.

    Thanks!!!!!

    Rich

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  5. Rich FrancoNovember 26, 2013 at 7:25 AM

    Andy,

    I am so sorry to hear about your dad. MCL is a tough but passable road. Your dad will do great. I will add him to my prayers.

    Thanks,

    Rich

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  6. Rich FrancoNovember 26, 2013 at 7:27 AM

    Hey Mick and Kathy,

    Yes, so far so good. And yes prayer is a very powerful thing. With all the fantastic treatments and medicines out there it is still my belief that God Heals. Thanks for keeping up with my progress.

    Rich

    ReplyDelete