Just gotta shout it out! Woo!

[OverWyreGrower]

Sorry, can't contain this any more!

I found out today that I am a very good match with my sister's DNA, which means I can donate stem cells for her transplant

She has Hodgkins Lymphoma (2nd time around) and her chemotherapy has stopped working. They wanted to do a stem cell transplant with her own cells, and it was originally going to me in October. However, her cells weren't strong enough as the tumours were still growing, so it was put on hold until they found a suitable donor.

It's taken 8 weeks to be tested, but I finally got the phone call today. I am a brilliant match for her, very close (there was only a 1 in 24 chance I'd match at all).

We've not had any details of the transplant yet, but I don't care

[OllieMartin]

Congratulations! I have no idea about the condition, but appreciate what a thrill it must be for you.
Do you know what the procedure involves?

[pipscariad]

That's wonderful news OWG! I am often struck, whilst reading the Vine, at how much some Grapes are going through in their lives, and how bravely they face it all. Yours in a case in point. I wish you and your sister all the best in the times ahead, and can appreciate how marvellous it must feel to know that you can do something really positive to help her. Good luck, and ((((hugs)))).

[Jeanied]

That is great news and a really good early Christmas Present for your family. Good luck!

[OverWyreGrower]

For me, it's a day in hospital whilst they harvest my cells... hooked up to a machine a bit like a kidney dialysis machine. However, it only takes a few hours, so I can go home the next day. Nice and simple

My sis will be given very,very strong chemo to kill her bone marrow, white cells etc, then given my cells. Ideally, my cells are stronger, and will fight the cancer (her cells can't do this, they are too weak). Her body should then start producing it's own white cells using mine as a blueprint.

There is a chance of something called GVHD (Graft vs Host Disease) where her body might try and reject the new cells, but the closer match I am to her own DNA, the smaller risk of the disease.

However, she'll have to be in total isolation for between 2-5 months, and recovery time once home can be up to a year.

[bobleponge]

Great news OWG, really happy for you and your family.
I'm sure the road ahead will be long, but I wish you every success on every step of it.

[zazen999]

Brilliant news Shelley. Absolutely blommin brilliant.

* I have something in my eye now - must go

[OllieMartin]

For me, it's a day in hospital whilst they harvest my cells... hooked up to a machine a bit like a kidney dialysis machine. However, it only takes a few hours, so I can go home the next day. Nice and simple

My sis will be given very,very strong chemo to kill her bone marrow, white cells etc, then given my cells. Ideally, my cells are stronger, and will fight the cancer (her cells can't do this, they are too weak). Her body should then start producing it's own white cells using mine as a blueprint.

There is a chance of something called GVHD (Graft vs Host Disease) where her body might try and reject the new cells, but the closer match I am to her own DNA, the smaller risk of the disease.

However, she'll have to be in total isolation for between 2-5 months, and recovery time once home can be up to a year.

Wow, sounds pretty intrusive for her. Worth it though I'm sure.
Well it sounds like the closer match you are, the better. I believe the more conflicting antigens are what increase the risk of rejection, so if you're a very close match there's less risk.

Best of luck to both of you, I hope you don't have to wait too long for the procedure.

[OverWyreGrower]

Wow, sounds pretty intrusive for her. Worth it though I'm sure.
Well it sounds like the closer match you are, the better. I believe the more conflicting antigens are what increase the risk of rejection, so if you're a very close match there's less risk.

Best of luck to both of you, I hope you don't have to wait too long for the procedure.

Yup, that's the science part!

She's already had 4 rounds of 'normal' chemo (and last time had radiotherapy and 8 round of chemo). The transplant is the hopeful 'cure' (and I don't like to use that word!)

[Bigmallly]

Brilliant news OWG, I hope everything goes well & if all the love from the vine was channeled through to her, it would be a deffinate success. Good luck.

[ginger ninger]

That's the best gift you could ever give to your sister OWG, wonderful, absolutely wonderful....(Pass me a tissue Andrea)

[binley100]

Excellent news. Fingers crossed that everything goes well and she's back home asap.XXXX

[RedThorn]

Aww brilliant!!!! Here's to a brighter 2010 and may the whole thing go as smoothly as possible! Sounds very positive that you're such a close match. All the best!

[SarzWix]

Oh Shell., that's fantastic Best of luck to you both xx

Pass that box of tissues...

[RedThorn]

Here you go Sarz... will share mine with you