February 16, 2009 10:20 PM

The waiting is over. Tomorrow the transplant occurs. Everything up to now has been the preliminaries leading up to this main show.

Am I nervous? Of course I am. I guess as evidence of that, my heart rate has been higher today than at any other time since I arrived. Not to worry, it’s not dangerously high by any means. But, obviously, the next (and last) step of my journey differs greatly from everything leading up to this moment and the unknown, for most of us, is most certainly accompanied with some level of anxiety. However, it is a step that I have to take and I have full faith that God is at my side as that step is made.

The transplant will occur some time in the afternoon but no one knows exactly when -because the delivery of the marrow is subject to the scheduling of the donor’s doctor.

I know that there will be no possible negative reaction on the part of my body tomorrow or even in the immediate days and weeks to follow. The real deal, so to speak, will not occur for at least 2 months when Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) could possibly start. As further testimony to this is the fact that I will go home within a day or so of the transplant and the doctor is only requiring 1 visit a week to the Dana-Farber Center in the weeks that follow.

As I mentioned yesterday, I did not know the impact of the fact that the donor’s blood type coincides with mine. The doctor said that it is definitely a plus because the transplant can take hold even quicker than otherwise. Though not a high priority criteria when selecting a donor, the doctors strive to get a blood type match, if at all possible. Again, thank you God that the most perfect of donors has been found.

Everything is still in perfect order regarding my condition, so let the show begin, I am ready….

Bob