Transplant a Success...

After the previous post Mike unfortunately hit a small bump in the road and ended up staying in the hospital a week longer than we had planned.  Although that might not sound too bad, after all the time already spent in Sloan-Kettering it ended up being the longest week of Mike’s life.  However, after spending 31 days in the hospital and then three more weeks recovering in a New York City apartment (to be close to the hospital) we finally have some great news to share!  Mike’s latest results from his bone marrow biopsy confirmed that the transplant was a full success!!  The biopsy showed that his bone marrow was engrafted with 100% of the donor’s stem cells!  This means that there are none of Mike’s previous stem cells left in him.  His own bone marrow had to be completely depleted through intense radiation and chemotherapy in order to accept the new stem cells from his donor…. and he obviously accepted them with welcoming arms!  At this point Mike is on the road to recovery but it will be a long journey.  He basically has the immune system of a newborn baby and it will be a year before he has a fully functioning adult immune system.  Until then Mike has to be careful to get plenty of rest, avoid germs and bacteria, and to not over-exert himself. Although it will be a cautious year we are extremely thankful to be where we are. 

We would also like to take this time to express our sincere gratitude for all of the meals prepared and provided for us by so many of you!  Tina and the kids greatly appreciated the delicious dinners delivered to the door every night.  Tina especially found it to be such a huge relief not to have to worry about dinner as she was spending much of her time at the hospital.  Tina has now decided to discontinue the dinners as she is not needed in the city as much and can get back to making dinners (much to her disappointment!)

Finally, we will not be able to thank you enough for all you’ve done to help us get through these past five months.  We would especially like to thank you all for your continued prayers.  Mike truly believes it was your prayers that got him through some really tough nights at Sloan-Kettering, ones that he hopes to one day forget.  The one thing we will never forget though is the outpouring of love we have received throughout this whole ordeal.  It is an amazing blessing to be on the receiving end of such support. 

With much love,
The O’Shea Family