Hi and Happy New Year!

Dad continues to do well at home. He and Mom are taking walks together and enjoying themselves. His white cell counts and hemoglobin have remained high and he has some new boot cut jeans from the Gap.

The next step will be a mini transplant to completely get rid of the cancerous cells. Dad's sister, Diane, is an ideal match and we are all very grateful (we are also grateful that Dad's other sister, Carol, was happy to help out too). I don't completely understand the process yet so I will write more when I have a better idea of what is going to happen. Dad will have another bone marrow test next Friday and the date for the transplant will be set after the tests have been analyzed. We think that it will probably be in mid to late January. Prior to the transplant, Dad will have more chemotherapy, full body radiation, and immunosuppressive drugs. Aunt Diane was out over the holidays to meet with Dad's doctor and everyone is feeling very positive about the transplant. Diane will return to Delaware once the date for the transplant has been set.

In the meantime, Dad is working on gaining weight and drinking more fluids. He looks great and wants to be as strong as possible for thetransplant.

We hope you have had a very happy New Year.
Thank you again for all of your support.
Love,
Dina