9/10 Donor Match Found!
 

I have a donor match on hold. BetheMatch told me it was a 9/10 match and that she was a 23 female in the U.S.

I have an appt with the Transplant specialist on July 9 to go over next steps and start testing.

I hope I don't have any more gut issues and that I can manage to gain some weight before then.

I am frightened because of all the gut issues I just had. I was hoping to have more time to feel stronger and be in better shape.

Looks like I will be right behind you Paul!

That's great news, Tracey!

How long did the donor search take from when they started looking for a match?

Thanks Neil. It was pretty fast. They started the search in April and at the beginning of June, they told me they had found 2 potentials. So about 2 months!

Hi Tracey - glad you're moving along - I think we are on the same schedule. Turns out my brother had some heart problems that showed up in pre-donation testing and he needed a stent - ironically they say I saved his life, but he now may not be able to donate to me. They have, however found some matches on the donor list and are now seeing if they will actually donate. In the meantime, after letting my hemoglobin fall to 5 I too failed my cardiac screening - ended up overnight in the ER and then on to a cardiac catheterization and another night in the hospital - now I'm on heart meds and have a new cardiologist - but nothing that should slow down the transplant. After all that I had an unusually painful bone marrow aspiration - it was all almost funny. I figure this was like a coming attractions. I meet next week with my transplant doctor to go over the biopsy and make a plan. I'll keep you posted.

What problems are you having with your gut? We both need to stay positive!

Congrats on your 9/10 donor!!! thats awesome news!!