Thank you for caring and support
JUNE 8, 2006 (IS THE DATE)

On Thursday immediately after being informed by the BMT team at Methodist that my transplant process would start Thursday June 8, we headed to the Texas Hill Country for the Memorial holiday weekend. My mother Dorothy Stevens, sister Carol Keller, her spouse Ken Keller and our daughter Susan joined us. It is only a 5 hour drive from Houston. After running 7 miles on Saturday with Susan, who is training with the leukemia team for the San Francisco marathon, we returned to Houston and Memorial Day joined newly engaged friends Helen and Roger in Galveston.
Today May 30 as I have given thought to what is ahead I think the fresh air of the hill country and the salty Gulf of Mexico represent the process ahead. Next week I have more tests, radiation, chemo and days later will receive bone marrow from a 37 year old anonymous female. She cares, we care, and I am ready to honor her generous gift of cells. Onward..............
SS

May 21
It has been 2 weeks since being informed of a donor match. Then the words were don't call us we will call you. I must admit that the wait has created time to enjoy beautiful Houston spring days and....

• hug baby Jack our perfect grandchild on Mother's Day. My mother and all three offspring celebrated the day at the Shipman household. Sarah brought baby Jack from Austin, Mark brought my mother from Beaumont, Susan prepared a delicious meal, and our friend Sue Trapani joined us.
• Last week Bob and Susan signed up for the Leukemia Team in training. Bob signed on for a 100 mile bike ride, and Susan for her 6th marathon. Each has pledged to raise $4,500. for Leukemia research.
• I participated in the River Oaks Business Womens Exchange Club 30 th anniversary celebration. It was a 70's party. That's me in my vintage maternity dress carrying an unknown gender baby. My 70's friend is Sharon Weiss.
• Bob and I spent a glorious day at the beach with Beaumont friends Darlene and Clyde Meyers. It seemed like only yesterday when we girls would float the gulf in inner tubes for hours oblivious to sharks, man of war or sun blisters.
• On May 20 I participated in " The New Normal" an all day Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Eductional Forum. It was so informative. In addition to an excellent historical overview, since 1956, a panel of men and women shared their transplant experience. Each was unique and each has a high quality of life today. One young woman ran the Honolulu Marathon only ten months after her transplant.
• Last Friday I received a call from the transplant coordinator to meet at 10:00 AM May 25, "we should know more about the donor by then" she said. I am not sure what that means except that the process is moving.
• Onward.............................SS

A Perfect Ten

Good news. The anonymous donor matches my blood profile a perfect 10. The donor must now pass a physical and agree to the timing of the donation. In the meantime the Methodist transplant coordinator will look for other donor candidates just in case. Assuming perfect ten is healthy and interested the transplant could be the end of May or early June.
Please pray the patient learns the art of patience. SS

May 1, 2006
Donor Match - NO BULL
Why have there been no recent postings? You would not want to read what I had to say.

So put on my wig, attended Bob's high school reunion at Steve Murrin's ranch, hugged a longhorn steer, and 5 days later a donor match appeared. A wonderful anonymous person has agreed to share his/her HLA match with me. We meet with the transplant team this Thursday, May 4 at 1:00 PM.

This will be a long journey. Here in Houston Susan, Bob, and I will keep our wonderful family and friends informed. Your love and support is deeply appreciated. Onward ......SS