Vanity - Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient

self ^ | 7/4/2003 | muffaletaman

[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.

[Great Dane]

Highest regards for you and your family, the worst thing parents ever go through, is the loss of a child.

[terilyn]

God bless your brave little girls. Both Lani and her sister. Prayers to your family for Lani's full recovery.

[Victoria Delsoul]

May God protect and look after little Lani Marie, and bring her home healthy.

[firewalk]

You're very welcome
& bttt

[Tribune7]

prayer bump

[sugar_puddin]

Your daughters are beautiful. :) I'm adding you all to my prayer journal and I will pray for you every day! May God comfort you and give you peace of mind during this difficult time. God Bless you!!

[Dubya]

Thank you for letting us be part of your and your families life.

My wife Eve and myself will be honored to send a few cards and we have already forwarded this to others. I hope that is alright with you.

Our prayers will be with all of you.

[Bizzy Bugz]

Your daughters are so beautiful. I will be praying for your entire family with special prayers said for Lani Marie and her loving sister Jennifer

[pubmom]

I'll be praying for your Lani Marie, and for the rest of your family. May God hold you in the palm of his hand during this time.

[PhiKapMom]

Meek -- Thanks for the ping!

Muffaletaman -- The prayers and thoughts of my family go with you, your daughters, your wife, and all of your family. IMHO you are at one of the best hospitals in the Country! The strides that have been made in the research and treatment of leukemia in the last 10 years is astounding!

God be with you all and the staff of the hospital as they treat your little girl!

Take care!

[andysandmikesmom]

Thank you very much for your kind words...

[maxwell]

May G-d be with you and yours, m-man.

(Hey bro, lots of ketchuping to do, think I might just start afresh... On my way down to the Best State in the Union, just a couple days now after I finish some business out west. Catch ya later, Max)

[andysandmikesmom]

Thank you for your prayers...

One never thinks that they will be able to survive the death of their own children...its so very unnatural...

When our son was first diagnosed, ,and we were given the prognosis, which was very grim, I thought I would die right then and there....but its amazing, that when ones child is so severely ill, the strength that a parent will find to support that child...

When our son was going for his BMT, and we knew things were very bad indeed, he sat me down and had a long talk with me...he knew full well how bad it was, and how his chances of survival were very low...but he wanted me to promise him, that if he died soon, he wanted me to continue on...after all, he noted, I still had a husband and another child to care for and love, and they needed me...he was at peace with his fate, and knew that if he died, he would be in the Lords good care and grace, that he would be freed from his leukemia, that he would no longer be suffering...

When he did die, I was devastated, of course...and it was a horrible, painful, horrendous thing to endure...I thought I would die after I had buried him...the years that followed his death are blurred for my memory...just as well I think, that I dont remember the incredib le pain I felt...

It does surprise me, that today, 18yrs later, that I am still alive, and functioning...and am able to remember my son, ,with a smile, as he wanted me to do...but I owe it all to the stength I got from my son...

We never know what we can do, until we are faced with that particular situation...If I had died after my child, I would have disgraced and dishonored his wishes...we may want to die, may long to die, after our beloved child dies, but it appears God will take us in His own good time...

I know, that in Gods own timetable, I will be with my son again...and that is what keeps me going on in life...

[Txslady]

Prayers for your daughter and your family.

[Dahlseide]

All is going to be well in Houston. I just saw the picture of your three young ladies - how nice!!

[AKA Elena]

My prayers for a successful procedure.

I am so confident for you because my grandaughter, at 9, was diagnosed with one of the adult forms of leukemia, too! She had a walnut sized blastic tumor in the bone of her lower leg and this was discovered by a sharp eyed radiologist as he filed MRI's, including one of Jennifer's from several months previous.

She was immediately put on interfuron cocktails and our wait was for more than a year for the perfect match.

It has now been 2 1/2 years toward her clean bill of health with NO SETBACKS!

I am a great promoter of the bone marrow donation program, it is a special test, but the results of good matches (not even as close as 6 out of 6) are incredible.

I also promote the saving of the newborn umbilical cord blood for this life saving procedure and unknown other benefits be a requisite in the delivery room.

God will be with you through this ordeal just because GOD IS GOOD!

[patriciaruth]

My sister's grandson had this same procedure February a year ago. His brother was a 6/6 donor for him. He suffered in the two weeks afterwards with infections (especially painful in his throat and mouth so he couldn't eat) and fevers for which they gave a lot of different antibiotics. He is just fine now, but my prayers will be with Lani and Jennifer.

God bless and keep you all in the palm of His infinite hand.

[MeekOneGOP]

Have a safe trip, Max. You've got FReep mail.

http://users.bigpond.net.au/jellery/bugs_anim.gif
"Uh . . . what's up, Doc ?" hehe!

[GailA]

Father Lord please touch this your child and heal her completely. Bring her through this procedure safely and with renewed health. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

[TxBec]

Prayers going out for Lani and family, and a card is on the way!