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AreBee

Part of the Furniture Now
Mar 12, 2024
905
4,443
Farmington, Connecticut USA
Prayers to your brother , man .
I'm not knowledgeable on this procedure , are the doctors optimistic ?
It's very hard to say. Until recently, the prognosis for this disease (Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm) was "dismal" according to the web, but a new, targeted (non-Chemo) immunotherapy has been pretty successful and my brother has responded well to it. Once he's done with that, they will blast him with an aggressive chemo and then the stem cell replacement.
 
Jun 23, 2019
1,969
13,370
Right around Halloween, my older brother (65) was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer. He is going to need a stem cell donation and I am the only one of his four siblings under 60 and therefore the only one eligible to donate. Well, I was tested around Christmastime an sure as Hell, I matched!

I'm having a procedure sometime next month where they will take my blood, spin out the stem cells and put my blood back into me. There are really no dietary restrictions, but I decided I'd give him a clean shot, so no pipes, cigars or alcohol until I donate. I'm 11 days into the clean-up, but who's counting! Guinness Zero is getting me through!

I'm not much for religion, I'm more for good energy and vibes, so I'd greatly appreciate if you'd send a puff of smoke straight up in the air for him since I can't. ☮️

If there was ever a reason to take a break, this is definitely it.

Hope you and your brother all the best in the endeavor.
 

renfield

Unrepentant Philomath
Oct 16, 2011
5,351
44,720
Kansas
I'm having a procedure sometime next month where they will take my blood, spin out the stem cells and put my blood back into me. There are really no dietary restrictions, but I decided I'd give him a clean shot, so no pipes, cigars or alcohol until I donate. I'm 11 days into the clean-up, but who's counting! Guinness Zero is getting me through!
I was a donor for one of my brothers a few years ago. The giving end is a piece of cake, especially since there's powerful motivation to do it.

Best wishes to you and your brother.
 

AreBee

Part of the Furniture Now
Mar 12, 2024
905
4,443
Farmington, Connecticut USA
I was a donor for one of my brothers a few years ago. The giving end is a piece of cake, especially since there's powerful motivation to do it.

Best wishes to you and your brother.
This is exactly how I feel. Piece of cake!

There will be some inconveniences for me, but nothing compared to what my brother has gone through or what he has ahead of him. I have to get a shot in Boston (about 2 hours from home) on four consecutive days and the donation process itself spans 12 hours over two days. I was thinking of loading the Lord of The Rings Extended Editions to my laptop and rewatching them. That will span 12:06! Maybe I'll count the pipe sightings!
 

AreBee

Part of the Furniture Now
Mar 12, 2024
905
4,443
Farmington, Connecticut USA
I'm on my 16th day tobacco and alcohol free and I'm effing cranky! :LOL:

We now have a date!. As long as everyone stays healthy and I pass my health screening) I will head to Boston on March 12 for the stem cell gathering. My brother will be up there a week before me and will have to stay in a controlled room until April 2nd.

My brother's mood is fantastic right now. He finished a round of immunotherapy on Thursday and starts another this Thursday. He feels fine and he looks great. His latest marrow screening showed 0% cancer cells. (His first screening showed 93% cancer cells.)

I greatly appreciate all the support! 🙏
 

Papamique

Part of the Furniture Now
Mar 11, 2020
807
4,003
Right around Halloween, my older brother (65) was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer. He is going to need a stem cell donation and I am the only one of his four siblings under 60 and therefore the only one eligible to donate. Well, I was tested around Christmastime an sure as Hell, I matched!

I'm having a procedure sometime next month where they will take my blood, spin out the stem cells and put my blood back into me. There are really no dietary restrictions, but I decided I'd give him a clean shot, so no pipes, cigars or alcohol until I donate. I'm 11 days into the clean-up, but who's counting! Guinness Zero is getting me through!

I'm not much for religion, I'm more for good energy and vibes, so I'd greatly appreciate if you'd send a puff of smoke straight up in the air for him since I can't. ☮️
Wow, what an incredible act of love and generosity! Your brother is lucky to have you as his “stem cell superhero.” Plus, you’re giving Guinness Zero a whole new marketing angle—“powered by clean vibes and sibling love!” Sending all the good energy (and a puff of smoke) your way for a smooth donation and a strong recovery for your brother. You’ve got this!
 

AreBee

Part of the Furniture Now
Mar 12, 2024
905
4,443
Farmington, Connecticut USA
Today marks 21 days free of alcohol and tobacco and to tell you the truth, I don’t miss it. Except when I’m awake, then I miss it! 🤣

My brother had a bone marrow scan last week and his marrow shows 0% cancer cells. His first scan in October showed 93% cancer cells. My physical is in two weeks and then it’s all systems go for March 12.

Appreciate again all the positive vibes and prayers.
 

Sobrbiker

Lifer
Jan 7, 2023
4,653
62,213
Casa Grande, AZ
Today marks 21 days free of alcohol and tobacco and to tell you the truth, I don’t miss it. Except when I’m awake, then I miss it! 🤣

My brother had a bone marrow scan last week and his marrow shows 0% cancer cells. His first scan in October showed 93% cancer cells. My physical is in two weeks and then it’s all systems go for March 12.

Appreciate again all the positive vibes and prayers.
That’s awesome, and the good vibes will still be rolling here in the desert!
 
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AreBee

Part of the Furniture Now
Mar 12, 2024
905
4,443
Farmington, Connecticut USA
Checking in at T-minus 17 days until the donation and today marks 42 days alcohol and tobacco free.

The Guinness Zero still works to takes care of the mental aspect of drinking; dining out, social gatherings, having a beer after work, while watching a basketball game, etc. Overall, going cold turkey hasn’t been all that difficult but I do miss my cigars, pipes, beer and whisky/whiskey!

I was in Boston for my screening on Tuesday and I was officially cleared as a donor. I had a very simple physical exam, vein check, consultation and had 16 vials of blood drawn. Yes, 16!

A sibling can be at least a 25% match and still be a viable donor. Tests confirmed that I am a 100% match to my brother. Best possible result although it still doesn’t guarantee that his body doesn’t reject my stem cells. 😬

My brother is still doing well and should be headed to Boston on the 6th to prep for the donation. Thanks again for keeping him in your thoughts. ☮️