4/10/06

Hey everyone....hope this e-mail finds you enjoying Spring.....I wish the weather here in DC would make up its mind! Jen has returned to Johns Hopkins....she was admitted on Thursday (April 6th) and began what will hopefully be her last round of chemo. Her bone marrow transplant is scheduled for this coming Friday, April 16th. The one complicating factor in all of this is the sinusitis that Jen had been dealing with for the past two weeks. Despite receiving twice daily IV antibiotic treatments (the second one usually done from home) and feeling and looking much better, the CT scans showed the her sinuses still didn't look too great. Jen's oncologist, Dr. Levis, and the head of transplant, Dr. Jones, both agreed that that could not afford to postpone the transplant any longer. The ENT doctor didn't feel comfortable with doing the transplant with the existing condition. Dr. Levis made sure we understood the gravity of the situation by letting us know that people have died from sinusitis while undergoing BMT. Not exactly the encouraging news you want to hear before admitting your wife.

For anyone interested in visiting, her room is in the Weinberg Building, Room 5B-10. (Directions: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Directions/Weinberg.html ) Her room phone number in 410-502-0316. I would also like to put out a call for help. While Jen's family and my mom have been huge helps, their availability is limited. Even after getting out of the hospital, Jen will be required to remain in Baltimore for out-patient care for at least another six weeks afterward. We are asking anyone who is willing to come "babysit" (Jen's word, not mine) Jen while she is getting back on her feet. There shouldn't be too many requirements, just keeping an eye on Jen and helping her. I will try to provide more details about when she may need the help as I find out. Again, I hope this e-mail finds everyone doing well.....I'll send more news as it becomes available....


Jeremy