Hello -
I often get questions: How is Mike? Have you found a donor? When is Mike going to get a transplant? I don't have all of the answers, but here is what I do know:
Mike is hanging in there. A lot of days he's very tired... but if he can rest and eat well and gets some exercise, he also can feel pretty good - he is still very lucky in that respect. Things that the rest of us shrug off or get rid of in a few days (a mild stomach bug or a cold) can lay him pretty low and for a lot longer than it should, but so far, he's still able to bounce back and enjoy a bike ride or get through a day at work without feeling totally exhausted, or always thinking about how he rarely feels quite right. He's anemic and his blood isn't being filtered properly and he has to drink a ton of water... but he's also pretty tough, thank goodness! And he is still amazed at how generous and kind so many people have been. That helps, more than you can imagine.
The donor search/testing continues! This is where the patience comes in... there is no need to rush yet and the testing is a very time consuming process for the potential donor, so really, things are going along as they should. If the potential donor currently in testing does not work out, the transplant team will kick it up a notch for the next in line. The team keeps tabs on Mike's records and latest test results.
The ideal time for the transplant is JUST before Mike needs it - not too early, and not too late. If things go according to plan, we get news that there is an approved donor and then the timing is dependent exclusively on how Mike feels and the transplant can be done when it works well for both Mike and the donor. It is possible that a mortality factor (high potassium, increased blood pressure) could crop up before Mike cries 'Uncle' or he gets sick and doesn't bounce back, but we hope it doesn't come to that. The healthier Mike is when he goes in, the healthier he is likely to be when he comes out, and it would be nice to disrupt the donors plans as little as possible - they are already giving so much!
So, for now, we wait - we should have news before the end of August and we thank all of you for your generosity and your concern. I can't say it often enough: it means a LOT to us both.
Enjoy your summer!
Ever gratefully, Samantha (& Mike)