We have a plan

Autologous bone marrow transplant

We met with Dennis' medical team this morning.  Medical research and many advancements have occurred within the past two years with regard to treating Multiple Myeloma (Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma). Enough success with bone marrow transplants has given insurance companies the confidence to fund second stem cell harvests.  SO - it is settled, Dennis will begin the process of having more of his stem cells harvested and available to him for a second transplant. We pray, of course, that his bone marrow will cooperate and produce enough stem cells for Dennis to use, in addition to those which survived the freezing process two years ago.

To assist the production of stem cells from the bone marrow, Dennis will receive 3 injections each day (of drugs which stimulate stem cell growth) over a 5 day period. One of those drugs is new to us, recently approved by the FDA. The goal is to begin the stem cell stimulating injections on Thursday, January 8, giving Dennis a stem cell harvest date of Monday, January 12, assuming the stem cell count is high enough for a harvest.

A nurse from Michigan Blood answered a special call from our medical team, and braved the icy roads to do a "vein assessment" on both of Dennis' arms today. Both arms will be used for the harvest . . . one tube to send his blood through the machine which harvests the stem cells, and the other tube to return all but the stem cells back to his body. Although it certainly isn't ideal that Dennis must again go through a stem cell harvest before a bone marrow transplant can be performed, we are happy that he qualifies and has been approved for one.

Thank you so very much for your prayers for strength.  This is the best news we could have received under the circumstances. We will keep you posted.

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