Transplant due on Thursday, March 23

I checked into the hospital as scheduled on Sunday evening. On Monday and Tuesday I had chemotherapy to wipe out the unhealthy blood cells and bone marrow in my system so that they can be regenerated by the stem cells that I will be receiving. I am happy to report that I had NO side effects from the chemo and am feeling great. The transplant had been scheduled for today but there has been a delay is receiving the container of stem cells from the donor in Europe (damn flights!) so I will get them on Thursday. No big deal. The transplant is pretty much like a blood transfusion through an IV and takes about an half-hour. From that point the donor cells with gradually take over my system and make me all well — remarkable! The doctors say that I should plan on being in the hospital for 3-4 weeks but I’m thinking positive and am going to be out before then. I’ll be keeping you posted of my progress through this blog.

Thank you so much for your wonderful support.

Gratefully — George & Cookie

A Grand Time Was Had by All !

Anje & Nathan Cluxton’s wedding on March 4th was spetacular. Everything went perfectly! The tone for the evening was set by the wonderful smiles radiating from the faces of the bride and groom. Being the father-of-the-bride was one of the happiest days of my life. I could not have been more proud of my family and my extended family.

Thanks to all who attended from near and far in both body and spirit. We are so grateful to have so many wonderful family and friends to celebrate the joyous occasion. You sure are party animals!

All the best — George

DOUBLE Great News!!

When I set up this blog back on January 17 I told you that I would keep you posted with any significant developments in my medical condition. Well, as they say, no news is good news. I’ve been feeling fine and I’ve passed all of my pre-transplant physical exams — clean living DOES pay off.

I just received a call today from my stem cell transplant coordinator at Northwestern Memorial Hospital that an identically matched donor has been contacted, agreed to proceed and passed the physical exam. My transplant is scheduled for March 22! I cannot convey to you how fortunate I am and how relieved that all of us feel to have a date set. My life will be saved and enhanced thanks to the miracles of modern medicine and the willingness of an anonymous donor to unselfishly provide me with some of his or her stem cells. It’s really remarkable. In a future posting on this blog I will be giving information on how those interested can participate in the National Marrow (and stem cell) Donor Program.

The other great news is that our daughter Anje is getting married this Saturday, March 4, to Nathan Cluxton! We are all ready to celebrate this joyous occasion. I even received a transfusion yesterday in preparation. While I won’t quite be mistaken for George Hamilton in either complexion or on the dance floor, I’m ready to party. For those of you who will be joining us on this day, please do NOT bring up my health to any of our family. This is Anje and Nathan’s day and we want to soak it in to the max. Everything that is important to know will be shared with you on this blog. Again, ain’t modern technology great! If you want to just show a gesture of support you can give us a subtle thumbs-up.

Thank you so very much for all that you have done for us. We are so blessed.

Let’s celebrate! — George and the entire Schaefer Family

Some background

Me and my best friend, Cookie.

At the suggestion of a friend I have set up this web site in an effort to furnish information regarding my health to those who might be interested. I will attempt to keep this journal (blog in the current vernacular) updated as significant news occurs.

Some background information: at my routine annual physical and with no symptoms I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in July 2003. Shortly thereafter Dr. Steve Rosen and his fantastic team at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago began treating me with chemotherapy for five months. I’m not sure if I felt an affinity to Steve’s thinning hair and his goatee but I couldn’t be happier with the care that he provided. In January 2004 my CLL was declared in remission. At that time I was told to have periodic blood tests and CT-scans to monitor my condition.

In September 2005 my routine tests indicated that my CLL had returned along with a disease called Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). For the past several months I have received various chemotherapies and treatments to address both the CLL and MDS. The CLL now seems to be under control but the MDS has been more or less unresponsive. Left untreated, the MDS will likely lead to Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) — not good.

The most effective treatment for my MDS has been determined to be either a bone marrow transplant (per Loyola University Medical Center) or stem cell transplant (per NMH, University of Chicago and most others). After doing our research, getting multiple medical (and a few non-medical) opinions and dealing with a not fully accommodating insurance company (do NOT bring up the subject to Cookie!), we have decided that stem cell transplant is the way to go and Northwestern Memorial Hospital is the place to have it.

My transplant will by performed by Dr. Jayesh Mehta in early to mid-March — shortly after Anje & Nathan’s wedding on March 4. Lining up a donor and my having to take an extensive battery of physical tests beforehand would normally take four to six weeks so the timing works out well. I will probably be hospitalized for 3-4 weeks, be confined to home for 2-3 weeks and have “100 days of isolation” from transplant day to allow my immune system to redevelop (I’ve got an important fishing trip planned for late June so…). Between now and the transplant I am receiving a load of antibiotics to compensate for my weakened immune system due to depleted white blood cells. I get occasional transfusions to help get my dragging butt in gear. I’m just now learning how important red blood cells are – hello! I’m also receiving shots to stimulate white and red cell production. I have received a platelet transfusion (and may receive another if necessary) so if I cut myself shaving (yes, I do shave) it will not be fatal. Bottom-line, keep healthy between now and transplant day.

Cookie and I want to take this opportunity to THANK YOU for your terrific support. Family, friends, neighbors, business associates, casual acquaintances and total strangers — you’ve been wonderful! We couldn’t get through this without your prayers, good wishes, kind gestures and smiles. We are confident that with your support, an extremely qualified medical team, a remarkably unselfish donor and ultimately the blessing of the Lord above that I will have a long, productive and happy life ahead.

With love, hope and gratitude – George

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