Post # 34
Today is a great day!!!!!!

At 4:00pm today we received the news that two of Bill's siblings (Edward and Lucille) are 100% (10 out of 10) matches for Bill's bone marrow. That is the best news that we have received in the last 11 months. Dr. Ayala (bone marrow transplant doctor) has indicated that he prefers to have Edward since he is a male. Although Lucille is a perfect match, there is a slight increased chance of side effects due to her having had a baby. The great news is, we have a primary and a back up donor.

Ed will need to be in Tampa for 12 to 14 days. The first several days will be testing on Ed to make sure everything is in order with his vital organs, blood work, etc.... Once everything comes back good, the next step is to start Bill on preparative regimen (Chemo). At that same time they will start the process to harvest Ed's stem cell's through peripheral blood.

We also received the bone marrow biopsy results today by phone from Dr. Castro. The markers that were present in the first and second bone marrow biopsies indicating the presence of the disease are no longer present. The molecular analysis (T-cell rearrangement) shows two suspicious items that are to small to identify. Dr. Castro believes this is a great report. More good news today!!

The next step is to share the report with Dr. Ayala at Moffitt and Dr. Epner at Hershey. They will confer to determine how to proceed.

Wednesday Bill will receive his next scheduled injection of Campath. Treatment will continue until further notice.

Sharing some family photos:

Mike and Bill

Bill and his sister Lucille

Mary Ann (friend), Mike, Bill, Margy (sister) and Assunta (sister in law)

Mike's nieces and nephews: Stephan, Ryan, Alex, Sarah, Hannah, Sean, Samantha

Bill's son - Billy, grandson - Anthony and father - Papa Sam

Bill's daughter - Marie

Bill's Grandson's - Adrian and Alex