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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: editor-surveyor
Ping!
81 posted on 07/06/2003 7:56:10 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl (We're in a global war on terrorism..If you want to call that a quagmire, do it. I don't.*Rummy* 6-30)
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To: muffaletaman; editor-surveyor
Prayer Sent.
82 posted on 07/06/2003 7:57:37 PM PDT by Jhoffa_ (BREAKING: Supreme Court Finds Right to Sodomy, Sammy & Frodo elated.)
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To: muffaletaman
.
83 posted on 07/06/2003 7:59:05 PM PDT by hoosiermama (Prayers for all)
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To: editor-surveyor
BTTT
84 posted on 07/06/2003 7:59:25 PM PDT by onyx (Name an honest democrat? I can't either!)
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To: muffaletaman
Oh, defintely, prayers for your sweet daughter.
85 posted on 07/06/2003 8:00:52 PM PDT by kitkat
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To: muffaletaman
Amen,.......More Grace and Mercy,......In Jesus' Precious Name, Amen!!!
86 posted on 07/06/2003 8:02:43 PM PDT by maestro
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To: mombonn; ejo; Fiddlstix; lawgirl; Teacup; Miss Marple; Wait4Truth; TruthNtegrity; TXBubba; ...
PING for some prayers!
87 posted on 07/06/2003 8:07:14 PM PDT by rintense (Happy Birthday President Bush! God bless you.)
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To: editor-surveyor
Calling the whole gang to pray for this lovely little doll.

Thanks for the ping .. sending prayers right away and will drop a card in the mail in the morning for a speedy recovery

88 posted on 07/06/2003 8:09:46 PM PDT by Mo1
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To: muffaletaman
Prayers. My youngest spent 10 days in NICU. I hear ya.
89 posted on 07/06/2003 8:11:15 PM PDT by annyokie (Admin Moderator has got it in for me.)
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To: muffaletaman
I'll pray for your daughter Lani Marie's swift recovery.

God Bless and watch over your daughter and you and your family,

MJY

90 posted on 07/06/2003 8:13:24 PM PDT by MJY1288 (The Gifted One is Clueless)
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To: editor-surveyor; muffaletaman
Thanks for Ping editor.

Stopping all lurking and posting to pray right now.

I put myself on the donor list long ago for a little girl back in my hometown. I now have a little girl of my own. I can't imagine what you are going through. May bless you and yours and keep your entire family in his arms.
91 posted on 07/06/2003 8:16:32 PM PDT by I got the rope
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To: muffaletaman
Prayers said for Lani Marie.
92 posted on 07/06/2003 8:18:18 PM PDT by Justice
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To: muffaletaman
Heavenly Father,

How we praise You for Your faithfulness to this family, Lord. We know that You are the God who will take this situation and make it bring blessings to all those involved. We lift up little Lani to you, Lord, and ask that Your loving arms would surround her. Help her to be brave and strong. Help her to feel Your courage within her. Father, she is but a little child; yet You know her every fear. You will be faithful to supply her with everything she needs to be victorious. Jesus Christ shed His precious blood for her, and He has provided for her healing through His death on the cross. Thank You for so great a love as this. Thank You for the strength, patience, and wisdom You will provide Lani's mother and father. Thank You for the understanding You will give to her doctors and caretakers. Father, You are waiting to bless this entire family in many ways. May Your Name be glorified as they walk through this trial, hand in hand with You. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

93 posted on 07/06/2003 8:19:43 PM PDT by Faith
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To: muffaletaman
Prayers from my family to yours..

David C. Osborne

94 posted on 07/06/2003 8:20:10 PM PDT by davidosborne (www.davidosborne.net)
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To: muffaletaman
Thank G-d your other daughter is a match for Lani Marie. That is Providence in itself. I pray for the transplant to go smoothly for all, and for Lani Marie and your whole family to be celebrating next 4th of July in good health and strength.
95 posted on 07/06/2003 8:31:34 PM PDT by Cinnamon Girl
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To: muffaletaman; rintense
Oh yes, prayers for all.
96 posted on 07/06/2003 8:33:01 PM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: editor-surveyor
Continuing to pray, and bumping for more!
97 posted on 07/06/2003 8:35:09 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: muffaletaman
I will be praying for you and your family. I am sure that this procedure will go well, they have made such great strides in BMTs in the last 10 years, it's just amazing. My sister-in-law has multiple myeloma and had an autologenous transplant and is doing marvelously. She had her one year cancer free check-up last month. As you probably know the transplants are the only cure myeloma, as well.

We will all be praying and you can be sure that prayer really does work.
98 posted on 07/06/2003 8:37:01 PM PDT by Eva
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To: muffaletaman
Prayers and best wishes for your daughter and your family (including yourself of course). We have a good track record on FR, I am sure everything will turn out alright!
99 posted on 07/06/2003 8:37:52 PM PDT by Paradox
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To: muffaletaman; rintense
Thanks for the ping. I am praying for Lani Marie.

Thank God that Jennifer is a perfect match. That is a great battle already won. There is a special young woman in my church that had leukemia & has gone through a successful bone marrow transplant. There was no one in her family that matched so her chances of finding a suitable donor were very slim; but one was found in Australia. By the grace of God, she is active and healthy today.

May God bless & keep Lani Marie and all your family.

Nana
100 posted on 07/06/2003 8:44:30 PM PDT by nana4bush
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