Bone Marrow Brother (Part 2)

Releases were in place, so now it was time to wait for the one year mark to be contacted by the recipient. But, alas, around the last week in October the phone rang, unknown name and number. I answer only to have the person on the other end hang up. About a minute later, the phone rings again. I am met with a hesitant hello and brief pause. Finally, Bill introduces himself and explains who he is. I blurt out in utter shock that I am so happy to hear from him and he and I converse for about 20 minutes since Tony wasn't home. In hindsight, perhaps I stole Tony's thunder. It should have been him but it is what it is and I can't change it. The only part that I really remember clearly is that Bill said he was from Ohio and wanted to fly out next month to meet us. Only one problem with that, I explain. I am due to deliver a baby in the next 10 days. I am thinking that anytime before the first of the year isn't feasible, I continue. Though disappointed, Bill understands and eagerly awaits Tony's call to him later that night. When they did talk, there was an instant connection. They shared similar passions and interests and enjoyed their continuing phone calls over time.

Being winter what it is and scheduling conflicts, Bill decides to fly out to see us in early June. The National registry was informed of this meeting and sent a press release to the local media. On the morning of June 3 I remember the four of us waiting at the airport for his arrival. Security clearance didn't allow us to approach the gate so we waited outside the gates. While Tony was checking the in-coming flight televisions, I see a local television anchor and cameraman from NBC walk past me. I was assuming they were responding to the press release but didn't know what to say. I finally blurted out "Are you looking for the bone marrow meeting?". They stopped and acknowledged that, yes, they were here to do a news story. My thought? Wow, finally a good story for TV news! (as a side note, another station attempted to do a news story but got lost in the airport and missed it. Tony was trying to field phone calls from them in the middle of the chaos)

Even though by now pictures have been exchanged, we really didn't know who we were looking for. (Bill was making the journey by himself.) In the excitement of the television cameras set in place, the moment came when Bill approached and all of us, cameraman included, nearly missed it. It wasn't the perfect television moment, perhaps, but it was still an important blip of Tony's and Bill's history. After a brief exchange of hugs and hellos, the men are interviewed. It was pretty overwhelming, even from my perspective--and all I had to do was smile and keep the kids happy. The story was a wonderful depiction of what brought the men together but it didn't stop at the airport.

From the airport, we all traveled to the University hospital to interview the doctor and talk about what the bone marrow program. Unfortunately, the doctor who performed the procedure wasn't available so another one filled in. Then they took us behind the scenes to the lab and the operating room. We had the opportunity to witness it from the inside looking out. Really memorable! What the television cameraman was allowed to film was limited, but the filming continued.

Just as the film crew was wrapping up, Dr. Pincus heard we were in the building and joined us. What I remember most about the morning was this particular moment. I asked him point-blank "When you came out of surgery, you said 'his bone marrow looked phenomenal'. What exactly did that mean?" With a huge smile Dr. Pincus explained that with nearly 100 percent accuracy, he is able to tell whether or not a transplant will be successful based on how the marrow looks when it is drawn out. Tony's marrow could not have looked any healthier. It was obvious he was athletic, didn't smoke or drink and really took care of himself. Great looking marrow rarely is rejected by the recipient.  Even now, as I type that, I think that is just the most excellent response to my question and for the team to have such optimism and hope. It never really occurred to me that the team of men and women who work together to make these transplant surgeries run smoothly invest in them emotionally too. A whole team of people are affected by the outcome. And to think they see the best of successes and the heartbreak of failure. The successful transplants are that much sweeter!

The television story was aired several times over the weekend. As the three of us and Adam watched it together we relived it again. Bill was overcome with emotion as the gravity of what they had been through together was realized. Bill was healthy and strong. Without the transplant he was going to die within a year. The four years of hell he had gone through fighting for his life was over. He was a new man and he was grateful. He had been given a second chance at a new life and he was giving God the glory.




To find out how to become a donor, check out this link:

http://www.marrow.org/



Please don't let Tony's "worst case scenario" story discourage you from being a bone marrow donor. Yes, Tony's experience fell in the small fine print of possible negative side effects. There is someone out there who may need you. If you think Tony's story is amazing, Bill's story is incredible, too. He has three brothers and not one of them was a match. But Tony, a complete stranger from another state, matched him. And not only did he match him, but the doctor explained he was one of the closest matches possible. Closer than a sibling. There were several critical typing numbers they look to match. Tony matched nearly every one. Take the time to be someones hero. It might just change YOUR life!!