UPDATE ON WAGE
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- Robert D. Wagers
- Elite Rocketeer
- Posts: 1545
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- Full-Time Cancer Fighter!
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Hi Friends,
First - I would like to thank everyone for the kind words and support you have offered thus far. I have a really good support-team and all of you are a vital part of that team! My family and I thank you for that.
Vanderbilt University Hospital and the adjoining VA Hospital form a HUGE Medical Complex and learning my way around is sure to be an adventurous task.
Well, this week has been a bit of a bombardment of appointments. I was welcomed to Vanderbilt by a visit to the lab and I was asked to provide them with 21 vials of blood. THAT'S RIGHT, 21 VIALS OF BLOOD!!! I met the Doctors and Nurses later that morning and they immediately saw that I was severely anemic and ordered me a unit of blood. After the transfusion, I was feeling much better.
The crucial test that I have had to do was a Pulmonary Functions Test, which tests your lungs ability to exchange oxygen and co2. This is the test that has prevented me from qualifying for the transplant in the past; in-fact I failed it 6 times before finally passing it. I am happy to announce that I passed with flying colors and my lungs have shown significant improvements. This test was so crucial that if I passed everything else but failed this, they would have immediately sent me home. By passing this is, I have cleared the first hurdle and now face many more challenges.
Today I had to undergo yet another bone-marrow-biopsy. This is a procedure in which a Doctor drills into your pelvis and extracts samples of your core bone marrow. This is what will be tested to determine whether or not I will be able to be my own donor. The Doctors are skeptical of this due to my two years of chemo, but they want to test anyway.
My Mother and I moved into our apartment today. This will be our "home-away-from-home" for several months. I have to say that these apartments are really nice and serve as a very nice place to relax and unwind.
Today, we received some good news. My sister was tested to be a possible donor if I am unable to be my own donor. The results came back as a positive match! Having a matching sibling as a donor is another great step because the chance for rejection is lower on siblings than that of a matching stranger.
Tomorrow, we have the "BIG-MEETING" with the full transplant team of Doctors and Nurses. This will be our "game-plan" meeting where we will discuss the results of all the tests so far and plan our course of treatment. I have been told that I will begin the program as early as this Saturday. I have been briefed on what to expect and I have to be honest with you all, it is NOT going to be easy. There are a lot of physical and psychological stresses involved in this procedure and I am in for an taxing course of events. With that being said, I am trying to keep a "stiff-upper-lip" and I feel that I am up for the challenge.
Well, I guess that is about it for now. I will try to keep you all updated.
Wage - "Everyone has to get knocked-down every once-in-a-while, otherwise you'll never learn how to get-back-up!
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A quote attributed to my Grandpa Wagers
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- Bob Ateah
- Elite Rocketeer
- Posts: 4521
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Thanks for the update Wage! So far so good, great!
I'm still sending positive vibes your way.
This may be a good time to mention the National Marrow Donor Program (US) and the Unrelated Bone Marrow Donor Registry (Canada).
I've been on the Bone Marrow Registry as a donor for 15 or so years and I would encourage anyone that may be interested to research and sign up.
All the best to you and yours Wage. - The member formerly known as Roland Deschain
After your question is solved, please Edit your original post and choose the Solved message icon, thank you!
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- James Spencer
- Preeminent Rocketeer
- Posts: 46340
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Thanks for the update Wage
Looks like a hard mountain to climb but looks like everything is going as smoothly as it could.
Good luck - James Spencer / Developer & Support / Hull, UK
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- Dave Goodwin
- Elite Rocketeer
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- Howdy!!
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Drandon wrote:
Just took a prayer break for you, Wage. God is carrying you, bro.
Echo that here too, Wage. Thanks for the update. I'm glad that the docs are getting on the money and starting right away with you. Please update us and call on us for whatever we can do for you and your mom.
BTW, I'm glad your mother is there with you. I'm sure that must mean a lot to you. You can tell her that our thoughts and prayers are with her too.
Blessings all over you, Wage! You da man!!
dave - Last Edit: 18 years 4 weeks ago by Dave Goodwin.
- "I'm an individual, just like everyone else."
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Well, this week has been a bit of a bombardment of appointments. I was welcomed to Vanderbilt by a visit to the lab and I was asked to provide them with 21 vials of blood. THAT'S RIGHT, 21 VIALS OF BLOOD!!! I met the Doctors and Nurses later that morning and they immediately saw that I was severely anemic and ordered me a unit of blood. After the transfusion, I was feeling much better.cripes man, what's the point of them taking all your blod to test it when you're just going to be full of someone else's blood after the transfusion.
seriously though, you sound in good spirits and I'm glad to hear it. keep your powder dry man.
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