MissDeeDeeBird

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Hey from Canada.

Canadian Blood Services is where you want to go to register as a donor.

Just finished mine online.

Cruzinn,
I'm praying for you and your family.
Peace
MissD

Angela

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I'd like to say thank you for the Australian link there. I'm going to have a good think though before I register. I wouldn't want to register without being committed, then let a family down...

Hope your niece gets better.

Mimi

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hello cruzinn,

I'm registered as a bone marrow donor in Germany. I think it is a database that works internationally.
My hubby and I did it because of a boy living near to us. He has found 2 donors that match him and will soon get a transplant.

Don't give up, you will find someone too!!


To all other readers:
.......................................
to donate bone marrow, most donors just get a sort of hemodialysis, which takes maybe 3 hours.
No one will operate on your back or on your backbone, so there is no risk of getting paralyzed, (which many people think), none at all.

just wanted to add that, as this is a big fear of most people thinking of donating bone marrow.

Jen

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cruzinn, i offer my prayers for your daughter. i would love to have my marrow tested for your daughter, but i am only 15. i have faith that your daughter will get better. i live in cleveland and the cleveland clinic is a great hospital. i hope that you will find a suitabe match for your daughter.

Stacy from cleveland

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Cruzzin...Bless you and your family. My prayers are with you and yours. The Cleveland clinic is the best place to be. They have taken care of my family and myself for years. I will ask for some extra angels to go your niece's side. I wish you all the best.

Cruzinn

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Thank you so much for everyone's kind words and prayers! They are needed and very much appreciated. I'll keep everyone updated on my niece.

She just got out of the hospital. She has to go every three weeks for a 4-5 day treatment. She will have to do this for 2 years. The treatments make her sick for a few days. The doctors have to tweak her meds to stop the nausea. She's at home, now. She'll be able to get out and about in a few days. We have to take special care that she isn't around with anyone that may be sick. Even the slightest cold could kill her.

Again, I want to thank everyone!! The words do not show the appreciation that is truly felt!

Crushed_butterfly

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Hi Cruzinn, my prayers are with your family and niece. I wanted to say that if I can put you and your family on the prayer list at my church.

I know that this is a difficult time and how frustrating it is to get 'near' matches when you need and 'exact positive' match. I am on the waiting list for a kidney and heart transplant.

There will be someone out there who has the exact bone marrow. My neighbour recently needed a bone marrow transplant, luckily her daughter was a match.

I pray that God will fill your hearts with peace, and Lord Jesus will be with you to carry you at a time like this. Amen.

Take Care.

Cruzinn

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Thank you Butterfly. It would be great if you want to put our family on your prayer list. I'll do the same for you, if it's o.k.

Nelle

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I am on the Bone Marrow Registry in the UK, I only found out about it through giving blood which I do regularly.
My thoughts are with your family at this difficult time and I hope that a donor is found soon

All my love

Handyrman

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My best wishes for your family and epecially your niece. I know from bitterly personal experience how hard it is when a child is ill.

(I lost my only son on his 9th bithday, when he was stroked by menigitis for the second time in his short life. It is 1½ year ago)

But in contrary to my sons illness, you have the chance to do something. and you apparently does. I'm shure that the right doner will show up soon, and your niece will be well. All my prayers

Cruzinn

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I am so sorry for your loss, Handyman. Thank you for your kind words. Your prayers are appreciated.

Biggs

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I am a second year "VERY" mature student nurse in Scotland UK. I am on shift tomorrow and will enquire about being tested. I have heard it is not a nice experience, being tested or donating bone marrow. But if it helps save a life, what is a bit of discomfort?. Unlike you Graeme I am not allowed to give blood as my iron levels are too low. But bone marrow MAY be diffo. Worth a try me thinks!.

Catgrin

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Cruzinn - I am so sorry for the troubles your family is having. As a medication-controlled epilleptic, I am not able to donate blood or marrow. However, as it is the fastest way I know to get a message to a large group of people, I will pass along your request through a bulletin on my MySpace page.

Crushed_butterfly

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Hi Cruzinn, I will phone my church today and ask them to put your family on the prayer list. Thankyou for the offer of doing the same that would be great. May God Bless you, and I send you big hugs to all your family. Take Care.

Angela

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i don't know if any dutch people watch this site, but if you live in the netherlands, visit the site: http://www.europdonor.nl/

i lost my father to cancer when i was 16. it was defestating, so i can only imagine how someone feels when there is a change of surviving, but the change is so small. all we can do is pray and hope. all my best wishes and hope and prayers will go out to Cruzinn and his family.

Sweetclarity

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I'm not of age to donate anything yet, and my ability to donate is compromised because I've spent time in areas with mad cow disease & c. but I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers, Cruzinn. I wish you the best.

Monkeycox

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I'm joining the US Bone Marrow registry! It's $54 for the test but everyone should do this! EVERYONE! it's a small price to pay for saving someone's life. Contrary to what most people have heard, bone marrow testing is not painful (the donation is). They just swab your mouth for the test. I have children of my own and I would want someone to do the same for my child.

Cruzinn

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There is a fee for testing, but the registry has sponsors to help people who want to be tested and do not have the money.

I want to thank everyone for their support.

This is an update on my Niece that my sister gave:

"We went to the Clinic yesterday. We were surprised that her levels were so good. Her platelet count was great, as was her white count. Because she was on decadron (a steroid) and now neupogen, they help boost the counts.

We ended up getting some surprising news. Somewhere along the line there was some kind of snafu. We thought (my Niece) was going to get a break, but instead, it is going to be very intense the next couple of months. She goes next Tuesday to get a LP (lumbar puncture) and chemotherapy. If her levels are good, two weeks later, she will be admitted in the hospital for a treatment. I think it's for 3 or 4 days. Then again in another 2 weeks, she will be admitted for another treatment. After that, her next admission is 1 week later. That takes us through September (if all goes well.) The first treatment is dependent upon her platelet and white count levels. After that, the treatment schedule remains the same. The next hospitalization then will be sometime in October.

As for the bone marrow transplant, we are still waiting for information from Columbus Children's Hospital. When donors make appointments, we will be notified. At this point, only one donor has made an appointment (I'll check in tomorrow to see if there are any more.)

(My Niece) is feeling much better today. That's always good. "

There have been 3 donors found that match 6 out 6 markers that is looked for. Only one has made an appointment. I would like to urge everyone to still get tested if they are able. There are hundreds, if not more, people that need bone marrow transplants. You could save someone's life.

Again thank you for all your support!

Cruzinn

Christine

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Dear Cruzinn!

Please let your family know that we will be praying for her.
My husband and myself had both registered years ago but had to be taken off because off the mad cow crisis (Canadian law :() and since then I was dx with breast cancer and can no longer qualify for anything.
Cancer sucks and it seems not right that it hits the little ones.
From one survivor to another (and that is what your niece is, a survivor!!!!) give her a great big hug and tell her that a donor will be found and she will be better, we just have to believe it.

Much love,

Christine

Tristan

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hi cruzzin....my hopes that you will find a suitable match soon.....and my thanks for reminding me to ask them about it when I gave blood today....I signed up so who knows.........

Cruzinn

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Everyone has been so great. Everytime I read through the post's tears start to flow down my cheeks. This site, people like Graeme and everyone who has wished my Niece well shows that there are still some really amazing people in the world. Thank you so much!

Cruzinn

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I'm not sure anyone is still checking this, but if there is, here is an update on my niece:

"Hello All...We went to the Clinic yesterday. (my Niece) levels were still good. She had a lumbar puncture and intrathecal chemotherapy (which means it goes into the spinal fluid.) After that, she had to go back to the S-20 unit to get Vincristine chemotherapy. We ended up leaving there around 2:30 to 2:45 (arrived at 8:40am.) (My Niece) feels really good. She is allowed to do regular things, we just have to be aware that her platelet level was just a little low. Her white count was good.

I received two messages from the transplant coordinator from Columbus. Julie said that we have two 5 out of 6 donors who have made appointments and we are waiting for the results to come back from them. The 6 out of 6 donor had made an appointment and the testing was done and Julie didn't know about it, but they were not a match. We have a cord blood unit that looks good and should have some more information soon on that. When we get the information, we will pass it on. We are surprised that the 6 out of 6 wasn't a match. We are wondering how that can be. I'm sure when I talk with Julie, I'll get the scoopla and will be able to inform you.

(My Niece) will be admitted again on Sept. 4 for a few days. I am not sure how many days because she can't leave the hospital until the chemo level in her system is at a certain point...it could be 3 ... 4 ... or 5 days. I'll let you know when I know. Of course, the admission depends on her platelet level and her white count level. I think she'll be ok, but who knows."

Watson

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Hey Cruzzin, (waves)

Just thinking of you and your family and is there any news on your neicec's condition?

p.s. got this site from Johnny B.