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Cancer unites through empathy, hope and support: Meet @katgob Oct 20 1:27pm | By Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor (@rosemarya)
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@j0318

@ loribmt and @katgob
Thank you both so much for your responses and encouragement! It is good to know that you are there if I am fortunate enough to receive this treatment. I realize that the process of finding a donor match to the actual stem cell collection can be challenging. It is a good daily lesson in trust and patience for me 🙂.

You both are great role models in this community and it has been so helpful to follow your posts and continue to learn about this incredible process. Fascinating about the Y chromosome @katgob and @loribmt I smile when I think about some of your descriptions of your chimerism 🙂. I agree that the BMT itself and how our bodies are capable of responding to this procedure is fascinating.

My donor search started mid-September and the nurse emailed me the next day to say there were some really good potential matches in the registry. I have not heard anything further so trying to be patient and trust that this will happen for me. It is so good to hear @katgob that your matches were found so quickly! I did get my welcome packet from the NMDP (aka the club that no one aspires to join as a recipient lol). My best friend and I were trying to come up with an appropriate theme song for the NMDP recipient club 🙂.

I do agree that positive attitude, effort, hope, and humor are so important on this strange journey - I will add self forgiveness as well for the times when I don’t quite reflect those other qualities 🥴. MCC has been a great resource in reminding me how fortunate my journey has been and of the strength we all carry within us.

Thank you both again for your support and encouragement. I will keep you posted as this progresses. 🙏🙏🙏

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Replies to "@ loribmt and @katgob Thank you both so much for your responses and encouragement! It is..."
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Oct 13 1:22pm

Hi @j0318 That’s great news about having several potential donor options. Your doctor will review each candidate’s DNA profile and select which one they feel would be their first choice. There are little finer points that get considered. Then that donor will be notified to see if they’re willing to follow through with what’s required of them. If they commit, then you’re both off on a great adventure. You’ll have a consultation with your transplant doctor before that time.

I often thought it would have made an interesting split video documentary with what my donor and I were both doing the same week before donation/transplant. Sadly, my donor has still chosen to remain anonymous after 5 years and several attempts by me to initiate contact. I’d love to meet him or talk to him in person. Though his commitment is over and he owes me nothing, I owe him everything! 🥰. I’d be long gone without his generous, life-saving donation.

I do hope a donor is selected soon so you can get on with your life. You’ve been on hold for a long time now. I love your positivity and humor, and yes, they are extremely important along with the other attributes you mentioned of effort, hope and forgiveness! All part of that important spirit of endurance which keeps us strong and propelling ourselves forward to a healthy and long future!

@katgob and I, along with a growing number of us who have had BMTs will be with you every step of the way!
Hope you’re enjoying the gorgeous autumn colors! Air Hug!

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