Hello family and friends, 

It's already mid-April, and we've been enjoying the warm weather and witnessing many signs of spring! Over Easter, Mom and Dad joined a family gathering at Jen and Bob's place, accompanied by the Meinert crew. We shared a great meal, played games, cards, and really enjoyed each other's company. Family time is always the best time! 

So, a few medical updates...Dad's Myelofibrosis diagnosis continues to require general medical appointments, keeping him and Mom on the move. From Shakopee for blood draws to the VA in Minneapolis to consult with the oncologist, and most recently, a follow-up appointment with a cardiologist at Mayo on April 16th. During this appointment at Mayo, a comprehensive panel of tests was conducted to evaluate Dad's heart, after his recent surgeries, and the results were all positive!! The cardiologist, an esteemed specialist still practicing at 87(!), gave Dad the green light to continue forward momentum towards a stem cell transplant, also known as a bone marrow transplant. The outcome of this appointment was crucial in progressing towards the transplant, as all organs must be in good health to tolerate the associated chemotherapy.

Next on the agenda, at the end of April, Dad will spend multiple days at Mayo undergoing a final battery of exams to assess the condition of his lungs, kidneys, liver, bone marrow, and more. If all goes well with these appointments, Dad will then be set to start his stem cell transplant "conditioning" on May 7th. This involves having a central line inserted for the infusion of stem cells, medications, and blood. Following a week of aggressive in-patient chemotherapy, Dad will have a day of rest before the transplant—which is scheduled on May 16th, Dad's 75th birthday! There will be a double celebration that day, his original birth and his re-birth (transplant day)! What are the odds of these dates lining up like this? I believe it's all part of God's plan!

The stem cell transplant involves infusing healthy blood-forming stem cells into Dad's body to replace marrow that's not producing enough healthy blood cells. Dad will undergo an Allogeneic stem cell transplant, with cells provided by an unrelated donor—a young woman from Europe, whose generosity we're extremely grateful for. Please keep Dad's donor in your thoughts and prayers! 

After the transplant, most patients spend around 30 days in the hospital recovering from the intensive treatment and rebuilding their strength. A stem cell transplant can cure some blood cancers and induce remission in others, with goals including disease control, life extension, and improved quality of life. This procedure isn't easy to go through, in fact there are risks, but Dad is a fighter! Dad is fully committed to giving it his all! We're all in this with Dad, we are stronger together! 

With spring comes new life, and we're hopeful and prayerful that the stem cell transplant will offer Dad a chance at a fresh start. Your prayers and support are more crucial now than ever as we navigate this  unfolding journey, planning for the transplant, and post-care. Feel free to reach out to Dad and Mom prior to hospital admittance. They'd love to hear from all their family and friends!

Additional Stem Cell Transplant Information:

Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Information

Stem Cell Transplants in Cancer Treatment

-Jen Meinert