Some people may call them miracles of modern science but I call them another of God's miracles!

My brother Paul is a donor match!

Praise God!  The ever diligent guy that he is, he decided to call Liz, the Donor Coordinator, at UIHC to make sure they'd received his test kit because she had told him they would call me with results within 7 to 10 days and that time had passed and I hadn't received a call.  So even though he overslept yesterday and would be a bit late for work, he took the time to make the call.  Then, rather than rush off to work, he took the extra time to call his big sister and tell me the awesome news.  I spoke with him again last night and he repeated some of the things he told me in the morning because he thought perhaps I was "a bit emotional."  Ya think?  It was a good thing he did because he was right, I heard what he said, I just didn't hear exactly what he said.

Okay, let me remind you of the miracle part of this.  There is only a 25% chance of a sibling being a donor match.  Now, Paul got his test kit first and his was the first tested.  What are the odds that the first sibling test kit tested would be a match?????  God has been listening to our fervent prayers and is seeing fit to be gracious and loving and grant us continued good news.

Initially, they were going to wait to get the results from older brother Don's results to see if he was a match as well and then choose between the two.  However, when I talked to Julie (see below) she asked  the ages f both brothers.  When I told her Don was 70 and Paul was 60, she said that age would very likely eliminate Don.  That being said, it sounds to me that Don is planning on coming to help with my after care when I get home from the hospital after transplant.  That will be a huge comfort to the kids and me.

The preliminary word is that the Transplant Team would like to have the transplant process start within the next month.  I should have a better idea of time by the end of the week. Julie, the Patient Care Coordinator will talk to Dr. Silverman, the head of the Team tomorrow or Friday morning and let me know on Friday.  The good Doctor has an incredibly full clinic schedule today.  Given how generous she was with me/us when we met with her, I have no problem waiting until Friday to get a better idea of a timeline. 

So, here I go being needy again.  I have some specific prayer requests:

• Prayers of thanksgiving for the incredible blessing God has granted me that Paul is a donor match.
• Pray that my blood counts don't bottom out again like they did last time so that I end up in the hospital;
• Pray that God provide for Paul's needs:  he needs to find housing before the end of the month; and he would really like and really needs new employment.  Unfortunately, where he is currently employed has a habit of cutting employee hours "over the holidays"  This year their holiday season starts next week and extends into February.  They've cut his hours back seven hours a week.  Living in southern California, that makes a huge difference in one's monthly budget.
• Pray that we can find funding assistance for his roundtrip airfare. I've gotten several leads from the American Cancer Society and will call them this afternoon.  Depending on lead time, the ticket could cost between $300 to $750.  It depends on knowing three weeks in advance or one week in advance.

I guess I should get in gear here and get ready to drive clear across town for a five minute appointment to get my neupogen injection.  But, Pr. Erika is stopping by with lunch when I get home so I'm really looking forward to that.  She said something about fresh tomatoes.  I've been looking forward to that since we spoke yesterday!

I can't thank you enough for your thoughts and prayers.  My faith in intercessory prayer continues to be confirmed.  May God richly bless you for your faithfulness.