Sunday, August 9, 2009

Sharon and Bob arrive in Rochester, Minnesota

Sunday - August 9

As you know by now, Sharon was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year. Sharon's doctor, in Fayetteville, Dr. Ballard, felt that it would be best for her to been seen by the pioneers of research at the Mayo Clinic. After her first visit to the Mayo Clinic, her doctors prescribed a series of shots that she had to get every day for five days straight. She would take three weeks off and start again.

They also began testing for a donor. Thankfully, two of her three sisters were a match.

Sharon would see Dr. Ballard every week to have her blood tested. About every other week, her blood count would be so low that she would require a blood transfusion. A couple of times she was required to receive platelets as well.

The last week of June, 2009, Sharon and Bob went back to Rochester for a check-up. It was decided during this visit that it was time to proceed with the bone marrow/stem cell transplant. Sharon said they use the terms bone marrow and stem cell transplants interchangeably. Once all of the pre-authorization with the insurance was complete, Sharon was scheduled for the transplant process.

Which brings us to today....Sharon and Bob left for Minnesota on Saturday. On their way, they made a stop in St. Louis. They were going to visit the Gateway Arch and take a tour if Sharon was feeling up to it. Unfortunately, she was not. They went to visit one of Bob's friends instead. While they didn't get to tour the Arch, she said they did see it in passing. Sharon and Bob arrived in Rochester around 5:30 p.m. this evening.

Fortunately, the transplant house had a room available for them. They will not have to stay in a hotel. When I spoke to Sharon, they were trying to get settled in. She will find out tomorrow what her schedule will be like for the week. She felt like there may be some down time because some of the tests that would need to be performed have already been done.

Pat, her sister and donor, does not have to be in Rochester until August 20. Pat will also have to undergo some testing before the harvesting of stem cells can begin. Pat and her husband will be with Sharon and Bob for ten days.

I know everyone will be wanting to send their wishes to Sharon. I want to let everyone know while she is staying at the transplant house, she cannot receive flowers. If you would like to send encouragement to her, please do so by participating in Operation Continuous Encouragement card drive that Heather Underwood is organizing, sending her a card on your own or calling occasionally to say hello. I will post her address as soon as I receive it.

Thanks to all of you for your continued love, support, thoughts and prayers for Sharon. I know she and her family appreciates it very much.

2 comments:

  1. Hot looking pictures Sharon. You will be back on the boat and at the lake house with your "spaded" friends just in time for winter. ha ha Love you. Lorraine

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  2. Howdy from Texas. The weather is hot and we need some rain. Please transfer $1000.00 from savings to checking. Leaving to Denver tomorrow for neice's wedding. Hope its cooler up there.
    Our thoughts are with you!
    Love
    Buddy and Chris Ann

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