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Vanity - Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient
self ^ | 7/4/2003 | muffaletaman

Posted on 07/04/2003 12:08:14 PM PDT by muffaletaman

Our daughter, Lani Marie (age 11, birthday 10/4/91), was admitted yesterday to Texas Children's Hospital for a Bone Marrow Transplant.

Last August she was diagnosed with CML Leukemia. This is very rare in children - less than 100 pediatric cases occur each year in the U.S.

While the new genetic drug Gleevec has controlled her CML Leukemia, it is not a cure. The only chance for a cure is the transplant. Her oldest sister Jennifer was a perfect 6/6 match as a donor, and we have hopes ->Of Course<- that the procedure will be successful.

She will be in the hospital for 5 weeks or so. More details below...

WHILE LANI MARIE IS IN THE HOSPITAL this coming month, her mother Lani O. Koskie, will be staying in the hospital with her full time, to take care of her.

If you wouldn't mind writing Lani Marie (and/or my wife) a little note or sending a card of support and comfort, I would be very appreciative!

NOTE - due to conditions of sterility required on the BMT Unit floor, no flowers, food gifts should be sent.

If you don't know my daughter or wife personally - as some of you receiving this do not - just mention that you are aware of them through FreeRepublic.

The Address at the Hospital is:

LANI MARIE KOSKIE (or Lani O. Koskie)

c/o BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT UNIT - ROOM 39

TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL - 8WT

6621 FANNIN STREET

HOUSTON, TEXAS 77030 U.S.A.

=== More details for those who are interested ===

Lani Marie was admitted yesterday 7/3/2003. She will have 4 days of chemotherapy, followed by 4 days of Total Body Irradiation twice a day, to kill all her existing bone marrow.

On Friday 7/11 she will receive the BMT infusion, which Jennifer will donate that day in a surgical procedure. Jennifer may be sore a couple of days, but other than that there should be no side-effects for her.

The following week to ten days Lani Marie will most likely be in the greatest degree of discomfort from the chemo and radiation, then her recovery will begin.

When a certain measure of her blood antibodies reaches a count of 500, she will be able to be released from the hospital but will still have to visit three times a week for close monitoring for probably a couple of months.

If everything continues OK, those visits will be decreased over the course of the next year little by little to twice a month and eventually monthly and then 1/4ly.

She will be completely vulnerable to infection until her new blood starts to form and her antibodies come back in her new blood. As part of this process her current blood type will switch from O+ to B+, which is her sisters (and mothers) blood type.

Also, after one year, she will have to redo all her childhood immunizations.

She will not be able to go to school this fall (no crowds, or sick kids with runny noses, or strangers allowed till she is healthy), so we will homeschool at least the first semester, if not this entire year possibly.

This is an anxious time for us as parents of course, but every single person at TCH has been wonderful. The head of the BMT unit, while having to inform us of the possible complications, also says that given the overall situation, the profile of her case and prospects look good for a full recovery.

Please, if you don't want to send a card to her or my wife, don't feel obligated in any way. Many of her aunts, uncles and cousins will be sending cards. This was just something extra I wanted to do to give her stay an added boost of the positive - and a card in the hand (which will be mounted on the walls and windows of her room I am sure) is much better than an email on a screen.

THANKS for your time in reading this. If there is anyone you would like to forward this to, feel free to do so.

Sincerely,

Earl T. Koskie Jr.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Health/Medicine; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: bone; cancer; landgrab; leukemia; marrow; transplant
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To: muffaletaman
Our thoughts and hopes for Lani's good health are with her.
I have copied down the address and we will be sure to mail Lani something. I will have my daughter, Freeper Noelita, send her a cute little cartoon. Do you know her favorite animal or flower (or something special Noelita could draw?)

121 posted on 07/07/2003 9:05:24 AM PDT by stanz (Those who don't believe in evolution should go jump off the flat edge of the Earth.)
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To: muffaletaman
Sending prayers for your Lani Marie, Jennifer, and your whole family.
122 posted on 07/07/2003 10:33:49 AM PDT by baseballmom
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To: muffaletaman
Best wishes to your sweetie. Lots of prayer power around here will help her along. :]
123 posted on 07/07/2003 10:48:43 AM PDT by The KG9 Kid
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To: muffaletaman
Prayer bump
124 posted on 07/07/2003 10:49:20 AM PDT by djreece
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To: muffaletaman
Shalom & Blessings!

Muffaletaman and Family,

Your Daughters are...Precious!

We will be very honored to Pray for Your Family and Especially for Lani Marie.

Avinu Malkeinu...Our Father Our KING,

We humbly come before You throne of Grace, Mercy and Lovingkindness and lift up Your daughter: Lani Marie.

We ask in The NAME that is above ALL Names: Yeshua/Jesus The Messiah that You will Touch Lani Marie with You Healing Power.

Give to her Your Strength, Comfort and Shalom - Your Perfect and Abiding Peace.

Holy One of Israel, we ask that You will remove all fear and doubt, and give to Lani Marie Courage to endure this life-saving procedure.

May she know that it is Your Divine Hand that is upon her, and may she always sing Praises to Your Holy Name.

May Lani Marie's LIFE be a Testimony to Your Immeasurable Love and Faithfulness.

We also ask that You O LORD will direct and guide ALL of the Medical Staff that has been Entrusted with Lani Marie's care. Give Your Compassion, Wisdom and Grace to ALL who will be working with Lani Marie and the Family.

Send Your Holy Angels from Your Throne Room to surround Lani Marie to stand guard and protect during the darkness of night until she sees the bright morning light.

It is in the Holy and Precious NAME of Yeshua/Jesus The Messiah that we ask all of these Blessings.

Baruch HaShem - Bless The Name (of The LORD)!

Amen and Amen.

125 posted on 07/07/2003 12:22:42 PM PDT by Simcha7 (GOD Bless and Protect Our Troops, ISRAEL and the IDF.)
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To: muffaletaman
Earl, our thoughts and prayers are with both of your daughters, you, and the rest of your family as well.

Best of luck to you all.

Best FRegards,
Lone, Mrs.Lone, & family
126 posted on 07/07/2003 12:37:29 PM PDT by LoneGOPinCT (From the Land of Liberalty. All we are saying is give pizza chants.)
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To: muffaletaman
My earnest prayers for you, your family, and daughter that God's comforter come close to you and lift your hearts to his grace in this time of extreme testing. His grace is sufficient to all tests.
127 posted on 07/07/2003 1:20:32 PM PDT by Paul Ross (From the State Looking Forward to Global Warming! Let's Drown France!)
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To: editor-surveyor; muffaletaman
Thank you for the ping, editor-surveyer.
Heartfelt prayers go out to Lani and all your family, muffaletaman. Card to follow.
128 posted on 07/07/2003 2:00:48 PM PDT by Nix 2 (http://www.warroom.com QUINN AND ROSE IN THE AM)
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To: muffaletaman; rintense
Muffaletaman, my prayers are with you and your family. I pray the Lord will heal your little angel and restore her to her fullest. You are all so beautiful. Thanks for the picture.

Thanks for the ping Rintense, God Bless you.

129 posted on 07/07/2003 2:47:31 PM PDT by Teacup
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To: muffaletaman
Your family is in our prayers.
130 posted on 07/07/2003 2:55:18 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: M. Peach
Thank you for your kind words....
131 posted on 07/07/2003 5:44:32 PM PDT by andysandmikesmom
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To: muffaletaman
Are you Christian's ?

I only ask to help me decide what kind of cards to send.

I think you are blessed by having a donor.

A friend of mine needed a bone marrow transplant so I called the hospital to find out about being a possible donor. They said the odds of me matching a single other person unrelated to myself was astronomical and the only way they would check me was if I would sign up on a donor list.

I will pray for Lani Marie , you and your family.

Peace

132 posted on 07/07/2003 6:40:14 PM PDT by Eustace
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To: muffaletaman
God bless.
133 posted on 07/07/2003 8:51:21 PM PDT by Anthem (Land grab? What... me worry?!)
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To: All
Am praying!
134 posted on 07/07/2003 11:02:02 PM PDT by ~EagleNebula~
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To: editor-surveyor
O MERCIFUL God, giver of life and health; Bless, we pray thee, thy servant, Lani Marie, and those who administer to her of thy healing gifts; that she may be restored to health of body and of mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
BCP, 1928, p. 597.
135 posted on 07/08/2003 5:57:24 PM PDT by Wallaby
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To: muffaletaman
Those of us who are praying regularly for Lani and Jennifer would appreciate an occasional update, although we know you have family priorities right now.

God bless and keep you all.

136 posted on 07/10/2003 7:21:06 PM PDT by patriciaruth
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To: muffaletaman
Praying...
137 posted on 07/11/2003 1:15:40 PM PDT by Donna Lee Nardo
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To: MeeknMing; muffaletaman
Your in our thoughts and Prayers


138 posted on 07/12/2003 12:10:51 PM PDT by KineticKitty
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To: muffaletaman; MistyCA; kitkat; esther2; mafree; kayak; Bigg Red; lizma; 2Jedismom; SuziQ; ...
If the bone marrow transplant happened this past Friday as scheduled then Lani is probably doped up on morphine to decrease her agonies as her own body bacteria attack her defenseless body and the docs pour many antibiotics into her to hold onto her until her sister Jennifer's bone marrow takes hold.

We pray for the Holy Spirit to comfort Lani and her family and ease her suffering at this critical time.

139 posted on 07/17/2003 3:46:58 AM PDT by patriciaruth
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To: muffaletaman; andysandmikesmom
What beautiful girls you have. I am sorry to get to this thread late and hope all is well with you, your daughter and the rest of your family. Sending a prayer your way.

AndysandMikesMom, as always, I am sorry for the loss you suffered. I know how devastating it has been.
140 posted on 07/17/2003 7:51:28 AM PDT by MistyCA (For some...it's always going to be "A Nam Thing!")
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