Update on my niece. (Another update, page 2)

[JerseyJanice]

For those of you kind people who have been following her story and praying for her, here's some news, and unfortunately, it's not good.

The bone marrow transplant she had in the spring completely failed. Initially, it looked successful, but that success was short-lived. Then for a while, her own marrow took over and produced the necessary components of blood, but never abundantly to be satisfactory.

At some point, we thought she would have a second bone marrow transplant, but her doctors have determined that it would be pointless as it would fail as surely as the first one did.

So now they are preparing her for a stem cell transplant. Her brother (my nephew) will be the donor for this procedure, as he is a genetic match. (He was also who donated his bone marrow in the spring.)

The stem cell transplant is largely experimental. She will be the fourth person in the world to receive one for her particular health problem (aplastic anemia).

In reality, all her doctors are hoping for is that it will buy her some time. They have stated that without it, she will not live to see the New Year.

Her 24th birthday is a month from now. She has been battling horrendous health problems for almost 11 years now. It started with ALL (childhood leukemia) diagnosed about a month past her 13th birthday.

Her parents and the rest of us have had these 11 years to face what seems to be the inevitable for her.

I'll let you guys know what day next week the stem cell transplant is done, so you can keep her in your thoughts that day if you're so inclined.

She's in the hospital now and receiving the chemotherapy needed to prepare her body for the stem cell transplant. Her brother has had extensive lab work performed already. He's set to go in and do his part as soon as is necessary.

Thanks for listening.

 

[piglet too]

I will keep her, and the whole family, in my thoughts. I hope that this turns out to be the miracle that she greatly needs.

 

[Maleficent13]

I am sending her good thoughts. Here's hoping that the procedure works for her.

 

[tmq2766]

I connot even imagine what your family must be going through Your entire family is in my thoughts and prayers.....

 

[SandraM]

So sad to hear about your niece. I will be hoping and praying that the next treatment works for her. Your nephew sounds like a truly wonderful young man.

 

[Strings]

I will be adding your family to my prayers.

 

[luckywife]

I am so sorry for what your family is going through. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[wilderness01]

I am so so sorry to hear this. I will keep her in my prayers.

 

[Pooh67_68]

 

[Keli]

I'm so sorry. Such a terrible situation, your neice is so young.

 

[Pooh93]

I am sorry. Prayers for your niece and family.

 

[nativetxn]

I'm so sorry to hear that your niece is not doing as well as expected. I just said a quick prayer for her, that she recovers 100%.

 

[orvilleair]

Keep us posted on the transplant.

 

[RNMOM]

Sending all my good thoughts, prayers and pixie dust to her and your family. I hope all goes well.

 

[MELSMICE]

Prayers & pixie dust coming your way.

 

[tiggerlover]

I am so sorry to hear about your niece. Prayers are on the way and a ton of {{{HUGS}}}

 

[Dan Murphy]

God wishes and prayers continue, Janice, for your niece. A sad update.

 

[Big V]

My prayers go out to your niece Janice.

 

[browneyes]

I'll continue to pray for your niece, JJ.

 

[RitaZ.]

I'm sorry to hear that. That's a very long time for a person to suffer like she has. I hope that the transplant works.