Rich Van Gerpen

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Rich found out mid September at a yearly physical, that he has low white blood count. The past 3 weeks have rocked our world.
 He has been Diagnosed with MDS, Myelodysplastic Syndrome. 

He has seen an oncologist in Wenatchee, who sent him to a Bone Marrow Transplant Dr. at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. 

The result of tests and meeting with Dr.s is that Rich is going to have a Bone Marrow Transplant. 


We will update details as they play out but I can give a brief overview.
Chemo treatments start the process to put his body in remission.
At the same time they are searching for a donor, starting with siblings.
After his body goes in remission, there is another round of drugs, donor harvesting and transplant.
We will be in Seattle 3-4 months when this starts. Rich will have to be closely monitored for about 100 days post transplant.
A lot of things have to fall into place and we are trusting God it does!
Rich is strong and feels fine. He also is ready for this battle.

We appreciate your support, words of hope, encouragement and prayers