HLA

Not much exciting has gone on the past couple days, which as you know, is always a good thing! I am still feeling great, with no issues. I went to the clinic yesterday (the first day since Friday), and my counts are looking good. My white count went down a little bit, so is back in the low range, when on Friday it was normal. They tend to fluctuate, plus I stopped the neupogen shot which was stimulating them to grow quickly, so now they have to do it on their own.  My platelets went up from 28,000 on Friday to 100,000! They are still low (normal is 140,000-400,000), but I am so happy that they shot up that high. And my blood is slowly going up, which is normal. It is usually the last to return.

Sometimes I see the doctor when I go to the clinic, but most of the time I only see the nurses and my PA Megan. Yesterday Megan updated me on everything that’s going on with the registry search. When they do the search they have to match my Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) with those on the registry. HLA is a protein or marker that is found on most cells in our body, and when doing a transplant the best outcomes happen when the donor and patients HLA closely match. My HLA type is rare, which is not surprising. A lot of it has to do with your racial and ethnic background, and a match will most likely come from someone that has one similar to you. Being that I am a “mutt” makes sense as to why it is rare. BUT, they have found 4 potential donors in the preliminary search! That means that 4 people (yes only 4 out of several million) came up as possibly being a match based on the cheek swab test each person does when joining the registry. They will now reach out to these 4 people to see if they are still interested, and they will then have to do further blood testing to confirm that they really are a close match. Many factors can go into it all. Sometimes the potential donors are unreachable or aren’t interested anymore. Sometimes they are unable to donate due to health or other reasons. But I am so thankful they have found 4, and am hopeful something will come about with at least 1 of them.

They are also doing a cord blood search in addition to everything else. In recent years, cord blood transplants have become a viable and life saving option for those needing transplants. This is where they use the blood from the umbilical cord of a baby since it contains a relatively large amount of blood forming cells. From what I have researched, cord blood doesn't need to be as closely matched as a related or non related donor, however it has its cons.  The doctor is using all of his resources to find me the best transplant option, and I trust that he will find it! It is really amazing how far they have come with transplants, and all the options available for patients. I am looking forward to seeing what they come up with next…. hopefully it will include a definite cure for all blood cancers!

I have my bone marrow biopsy bright and early tomorrow morning. I am excited to finally be at a milestone, which God willing, will show remission. Even though there is still so much ahead of me, being cancer free will be another victory, and a testimony to God’s great healing and mercy. I do believe I am already healed, and that God will continue to see me through all of this.