Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated on Scott's bone marrow transplant journey.
Are you up-to-date on your annual physical? How about your mammogram? Your ob-gyn exam? How about your prostate exam? Have you had a colonoscopy? Scott wants you to "get 'er done!" (as he would say in his best Larry, the Cable Guy imitation).
You see, his AML, Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, "a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow," was uncovered through blood work done for his routine annual physical in May. The AML diagnosis came mid-June and was immediately followed by three weeks of in-patient chemotherapy at Sentara CarePlex Hospital in Hampton, VA. The outcome was the best we could have hoped for -- Scott was cancer free! But, genome testing revealed mutation of the DNMT3A gene, a gene frequently mutated in cancer, and most commonly seen in AML, where it occurs in just over 25% of cases sequenced. DNMT3A mutations are associated with poor overall survival. Sooooo, a bone marrow transplant is in Scott's near future to guarantee complete and permanent eradication of the AML.
Since Scott has two half siblings and no full siblings, his best shot at a bone marrow match was through Be The Match, an international matching program. Scott's donor is a 31-year-old male in Wales (Yes, that's Great Britain! Across the big blue sea!). The stem cells will be collected in Wales over a 5-day period and transported to the USA for Scott. We are all incredibly grateful to this young man for giving Scott the gift of life! We encourage you to sign up to be a donor at
https://bethematch.org; you may save a life, too!
Since his stint at Sentara CarePlex, Scott has had three rounds of Vidaza, a chemotherapy he received as an out-patient, to keep the bone marrow clear of leukemia until the transplant.
Scott has chosen the most aggressive solution to rid his body of this nasty invader. When he is admitted to VCU Massey Cancer Center Bone Marrow Transplant Program on Thursday, October 13, 2016 -- DAY 0 - 6 (That's DAY ZERO MINUS SIX.) -- he will start his conditioning/preparative regimen for the transplant (infusion of stem cells). His transplant will occur on Wednesday, October 19, 2016. Transplant Day is considered DAY 0. Each day after his transplant will be referred to as DAY 0 + 1, DAY 0 + 2, etc.
Scott's faith in God's healing power is great! He has no doubt. He trusts completely. He is unbelievably positive. He is ready for whatever is coming. He wants to "get 'er done!"
Beginning on Day 0 - 6, I, Kathy, will be posting daily updates. Please check here before visiting: If Scott is not feeling up to visitors, we will post here and notify the nurses' station.
Before visiting Scott, please read the post with the BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES FOR VISITORS AND PATIENT SAFETY. It follows this one.
We -- Scott ("the man"), MaryEllen (Mom), Mike (#2 Dad), Oakley (Dad), Kathy (#2 Mom), Devin (brother), Daron (sister) -- thank YOU, his family and friends for your prayers, words of hope and encouragement, help and support. Leave a message for Scott; I'll be sure he gets it!
Thank you for visiting.
Kathy
Scott's #2 Mom
