The objective of the stem cell transplant is to replace Suzie’s bone marrow with healthy bone marrow contributed by the donor. This goal will be achieved when the donor’s pattern represents100% of Suzie’s DNA.

When we left Houston last November, the donor’s pattern represented 97% of Suzie’s DNA and, needless to say, we were elated with her progress. But time and all that has happened since we left Houston have affected her negatively and it is beginning to look like the transplant may not work: the donor’s pattern on August 14^th represented 5% of Suzie’s DNA and we continue seeing signs that the cancer is actively present in her body.

The good news is that GVHD remains active, meaning that the donor cells have not given up, and her red blood counts are high enough that at the present time she has no need for transfusions.

At this moment we’re not sure what our status is or what to expect next. Our transplant doctor finds it difficult to offer a prognosis because Myelofibrosis is so rare and because so few people with this disease, especially in Suzie’s age group, have undergone the transplant. We’ve asked what our options are should the transplant fail but he hasn’t had time to respond to this question.

On another note, Suzie just had a most enjoyable weekend: she went boating with Mike on Saturday, attended church services and shared breakfast with good friends Sunday morning, then spent Sunday afternoon at the movies and at dinner with a different group of friends.

The upcoming weekend will be enjoyable because Dave, Kelly and the grandchildren are visiting and the pleasure will continue next week when we travel to Boston to visit Lisa and to Martha’s Vineyard to visit good friends from our days in Plymouth.

God Bless!!!