Wednesday, July 25, 2007

bone marrow registry

Chris and I wanted to share some information about bone marrow donation. Most of the other leukemia patients I've spoken with are having bone marrow transplants. I've been really lucky, since my doctor decided we won't need to do a transplant. But this is what we've learned about the BMT (bone marrow transplant) process for the Donor..
  • Registry: Becoming a donor (through the National Marrow Donor Program) is much, much easier than we thought -- often with a just quick swab inside the cheek. You can actually sign up online, and they will send you the tissue-typing kit to do this at home.
  • Donation: Although traditionally, bone marrow donation required surgery, a newer, less complicated procedure can obtain stem cells from your bloodstream. So they only need to draw some blood.
  • The need: For the transplant to work, there needs to be a tissue type match. Surprisingly, 70% of patients do not have a match in their family. According to the NMDP, the most pressing need is for donors who are American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, African American, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or multiple-race.
On a lighter note, it is day 2 of my "vacation" from the hospital, so I'm just laying here by the pool sipping my mojito. (that second part is actually a lie)
I did though wake up this morning with a bit of bedhead, which was so exciting. My hair is starting to grow back, and it's hilarious. So far, it is really sparse and fuzzy, and it's about 2 cm long. We assumed it would keep falling out, but it seems to be hanging on through these rounds of chemo. Hmmm... I guess we will see.

love,
h (& c)

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the info on Bone Marrow Registry. Actually, your 2 wonderful aunts, Char and Betsy, have both registered. Here's hoping their bone marrow, if ever used, will go to help someone else! love, mom

Bette said...

LOVE HAIR GROWTH! Got some of my own going on - it is sooo tiny and blonde too! I had my last chemo today, so I am ready for it! Hmmm, a mojito sounds good...have you tried that new Orbit Mint Mojito gum? Almost as good as the real thing! oxxo b

Anonymous said...

Hillary: I guess we're both about at the same place regarding hair growth. Mine was falling out so I got a buzz haircut. You guessed it!! I'm now growing a very very sparse very thin white fuzz. I still wear my ball cap when out in the sun. Maybe I should take you up on borrowing your purple wig, although it's likely too small. I guess an Uncle Fester (Adams Family) look is not a bad.

Take care and good luck with your upcoming chemo. Mine's coming up in about 12 days. Let's get on with this.

Love: Catherine and Gary

Alicia Skodol said...

Hilly- I love that you have fuzz head.. hee! Thanks for the info on the bone marrow transplant-- I think I'm gonna register too. Miss and love you lots. Have a great weekend. And I'll be talking to you!
love,
Alicia

Anonymous said...

Hi Hill, As your mom said, I registered as a bone marrow donor in April and it was very easy. They sent me the kit and I swabbed my cheeks and sent the swabs in. Now I'm officially registered. I'm glad you won't need one, but I'm there if anyone else does. Keep growing the fuzzy stuff and eat a bowl of ice cream for me! Love, Betsy

Rachel said...

hi hill- thx for the BMR info... i'm going to check it out right now. glad you're doing well. and your friends' new company looks really cool!

Anonymous said...

Hillary, the Lance Armstrong 24 Hour Booty Bike Ride with 14,000 riders was amazing! Can't wait for you to see the photos. Your picture and the words "Chemo Schmeemo" became quite well known. Brett and his friend, Lee, rode all night through a blinding thunderstorm to surpass both their goals. I'll never forget it! Money is still coming in, but the entire event raised over $660,000 with Brett and Lee perhaps being the largest individual fund raisers! mom

K. said...

fuzzy hair is great. and thank you for passing along the great info on the bone marrow. such an important aspect of life that people don't know much about. im going to pass it along to more peeps. keep on keepin' on my ht!

xx

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the info Hillary. Keep up the good spirits. You amaze me. Great news on the fuzz head - is it still blond hair? Sending love from Chicago! -Fitz

Anonymous said...

Hair shmair. :)

Sounds like have a new inter-Hillary challenge. As our calendars permit, why don't we all get registered!

Although there can only be one Hillary, there are a lot of other Hillarys out there (from the Department of Redundancy Department).

Brett Welborn

Anonymous said...

Hillary, just saw my comment. There were 1400 riders, not 14,000!!!1 oops mom

Anonymous said...

Hi Hill! So glad you are doing so well and loved reading your very entertaining blog! Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you! My boys, Jack (3 1/2) and Aidan (2)have been saying extra prayers for mommy's friend Hillary to get better at bedtime!
Love, Alyssa

Anonymous said...

Hi guys! Hillary, it's great news that you get to start chemo again (well, it's all relative, right?!) and we hope that it's going smoothly so far. That's great news about your fuzz -- let's hope it can hang on for this round, too.

We're thinking of you guys -- if we don't do a reunion this fall, maybe Steve and I can at least get out there for another quick visit.

Have a great week,
Becky & Steve

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