[PaulS]

Hi Bailie - it is very interesting how imprecise our understanding of MDS and how to treat it - and our understanding of why some transplants are successful and others not. So many variables - the nature of the disease, cytogenetics, the risk factors, age etc --- add all those variables to transplants as well as the source of donor, source of stem cells, sex differences between donors, conditioning regimes, post transplant therapies, GVHD etc - and variations in the underlying disease - AML v MDS for example - its almost mind boggling -

Your theory regarding a susceptibility crisis is interesting. In my case I was pretty much rolling along splendidly - hadn't felt so good in years. Then flow cytometry showed .09% blasts other tests 85% donor - alarming but not definitive. A month later blasts were 4%, chimerism was between 45 and 65% donor, depending on tests, and skin nodules that had been associated with the disease returned with a vengeance. Go figure.

While I'm not looking forward to a second transplant - I'm hoping this one will be less eventful and more successful - Importantly, I've learned that roast chicken is almost always available - even when it is not on the menu. I think this will make an enormous difference in making my recovery more pleasant.

I forgot about your road trip - where did you end up staying? Did you drive back alone? Except for the dogs - sounds like enormous fun.

Is this the daughter that contacted me a few times during my transplant - I really appreciated that - and I wish her well!
Paul