Friday, October 23, 2009
Update & Thank You For Your Help
Last Sunday was Asian for Miracle Matches (A3M) Benefit Dinner & Concert. What an evening it was!!! Thanks to all who helped make this event a success. Many of you donated items or gift certificates for the silent auction, many of you purchased raffle tickets and many of you attended the event! It was an evening to remember, especially seeing a patient meet her donor for the very first time. This is what it's all about! Life is what it's all about. Thank you all for supporting this great cause.
In other news, I had a visit at the City of Hope on Tuesday. My counts haven't budged... we were hoping my white count would pop back up, especially since it's flu season. But, nobody's worried, so I'm not going to worry either.
For those curious ones, here are my counts:
WBC 2.3 (norm 4.0 - 11.0)
RBC 4.0 (3.8 - 5.2)
HGB 13.0 (11.4 -15.5)
HCT 37.9 (35 - 47)
PLT 95 (150-350)
Again, thank you for your support. You all make a huge difference in my life! love ya, n
In other news, I had a visit at the City of Hope on Tuesday. My counts haven't budged... we were hoping my white count would pop back up, especially since it's flu season. But, nobody's worried, so I'm not going to worry either.
For those curious ones, here are my counts:
WBC 2.3 (norm 4.0 - 11.0)
RBC 4.0 (3.8 - 5.2)
HGB 13.0 (11.4 -15.5)
HCT 37.9 (35 - 47)
PLT 95 (150-350)
Again, thank you for your support. You all make a huge difference in my life! love ya, n
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Tony Chau
My friend and fellow transplant patient, Tony Chau, lost his battle today. He had a marrow transplant over four years ago and has continually battled gvhd, lung problems and many other complications. Most recently he was found to have a serious fungal infection in his lungs complicated by Influenza A, which I believe to be Swine Flu.
A few days ago, he was getting about 80% oxygen absorption so was put on a respirator. More recently he was only at 50% oxygen. Although it was a tough decision on his wife and family, they decided to turn off the machines today.
Above left photo: myself, Tony, his wife, Danielle, and their three adorable children, Taylor, Owen, and Matthew. Right photo: myself, our doctor, Dr. Nakamura, and Owen. These photos were taken in May 2009 at the City of Hope Bone Marrow Transplant Reunion. Below: Right photo: myself, my mom, Tony and his three children.
A few days ago, he was getting about 80% oxygen absorption so was put on a respirator. More recently he was only at 50% oxygen. Although it was a tough decision on his wife and family, they decided to turn off the machines today.
Above left photo: myself, Tony, his wife, Danielle, and their three adorable children, Taylor, Owen, and Matthew. Right photo: myself, our doctor, Dr. Nakamura, and Owen. These photos were taken in May 2009 at the City of Hope Bone Marrow Transplant Reunion. Below: Right photo: myself, my mom, Tony and his three children.
This is the second friend to pass away this week. I'm broken and heavy-hearted. My grief is being channeled through renewed efforts to help A3M with their benefit and dinner concert, in Cerritos, on October 18th (next weekend). If anyone, would like to attend the benefit dinner and concert, please contact me or go to http://www.asianmarrow.com/ as soon as possible. The tickets are in short supply. Click on Benefit Dinner & Concert. This year Lea Salonga returns to A3M’s stage to perform her 2009 “Inspired” concert. Join us, as we enjoy her all time favorites and some wonderful new selections. Lea created the role of the orphaned “Kim” in Miss Saigon and brought to life the singing of Disney’s Mulan (“Reflection”) and Princess Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin - it’s truly “A Whole New World.”
If you, or anybody you know, would like to donate a silent auction item or buy raffle tickets, I will gladly go anywhere in Los Angeles or Orange County to pick up the item or bring you the tickets. You could also send me anything and I'll get it in time if it's mailed asap. It could be anything from gift cards/certificates or new merchandise from places you frequently visit or business owners that you may know. This is how we can help support A3M's cause of finding donors for so many who are in-need. Contact me if you have any questions at sakakura@ca.rr.com
Thank you for any support you can offer A3M. Thank you for following my blog through these challenging times.
Love you all. n
If you, or anybody you know, would like to donate a silent auction item or buy raffle tickets, I will gladly go anywhere in Los Angeles or Orange County to pick up the item or bring you the tickets. You could also send me anything and I'll get it in time if it's mailed asap. It could be anything from gift cards/certificates or new merchandise from places you frequently visit or business owners that you may know. This is how we can help support A3M's cause of finding donors for so many who are in-need. Contact me if you have any questions at sakakura@ca.rr.com
Thank you for any support you can offer A3M. Thank you for following my blog through these challenging times.
Love you all. n
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Nick Glasgow
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Please Say A Prayer
Many of you know about Nick Glasgow. He's 1/4 Japanese and 3/4 Caucasion and according to his doctor, had a 0% chance of finding a bone marrow match to save his life. He beat the odds and found not one, but two, perfect 10/10 matches. He received his transplant in August but has already relapsed. Please say a prayer and check out his blog.
http://markfredrickson.wordpress.com/
Thank you....
http://markfredrickson.wordpress.com/
Thank you....
Monday, September 14, 2009
Update 9/09
I visited the doctor this morning. Things are looking pretty good except for a small blip in my white count. My doctor is not too concerned but will retest next month. All my other counts and chem panel are within normal limits. Here are my counts as of 9/15/09 (3 years, 3 months post-transplant! yay!)
WBC 2.3 (normal 4.0 - 11.0)
RBC 4.16 (3.8-5.2)
PLT 98 (150-350)
Please Support A3M
There is always a need for more potential donors to join the registry! If you are already registered, Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches can really use your help in other ways, too.
Ways you can make a difference:
1. Attend Starnight. A3M Benefit Dinner & Concert Tony Award Winner, Lea Salonga, returns to A3M's stage to perform her 2009 “Inspired” concert: Broadway hits, Disney classics, new selections. Sunday, October 18, 2009 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Concert-only ticket: $47, $57, $67, $87Call (800) 300-4345 or http://www.cerritoscenter.com/
Dinner & Concert Package: $177
2. Donate something for A3M's Starnight Silent Auction.
3. Buy Starnight Raffle Tickets
Thank you for continuing to follow my blog for so long. I appreciate all of your support! God is good!
nancy
WBC 2.3 (normal 4.0 - 11.0)
RBC 4.16 (3.8-5.2)
PLT 98 (150-350)
Please Support A3M
There is always a need for more potential donors to join the registry! If you are already registered, Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches can really use your help in other ways, too.
Ways you can make a difference:
1. Attend Starnight. A3M Benefit Dinner & Concert Tony Award Winner, Lea Salonga, returns to A3M's stage to perform her 2009 “Inspired” concert: Broadway hits, Disney classics, new selections. Sunday, October 18, 2009 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Concert-only ticket: $47, $57, $67, $87Call (800) 300-4345 or http://www.cerritoscenter.com/
Dinner & Concert Package: $177
2. Donate something for A3M's Starnight Silent Auction.
3. Buy Starnight Raffle Tickets
Information for the above, can be found on A3M's website : http://www.a3mhope.org/ or by calling 888)A3M-HOPE
Matthew Needs Our Help!
Matthew is a vibrant 27 year old who was in pharmacy school. All that is on hold now. Matthew is in need of a bone marrow transplant. A donor was located but suddenly became unavailable. Sound familiar??? It should because it happened to me twice.
Please, if you haven't registered, do so now. All it takes is some paperwork and four swabs of your cheek. It really couldn't be any easier and can potentially save a life. You can find a bone marrow drive or order a kit to be sent to your house. There really aren't any excuses not to be registered anymore. And if you get that phone call or letter that you may be someones match, please by all means, follow through and become a true hero! Marrow Drive or mail in kit information can be found at http://www.a3mhope.org/.Thank you for continuing to follow my blog for so long. I appreciate all of your support! God is good!
nancy
