Sometimes Good Things Come 'In Threes'.

Sometimes good things come 'in threes'...

1. I have been taking part in a COVID research study over the last year; it involved taking a blood test every few weeks and filling out a daily questionnaire. The study is about to wrap up and they ran a contest and one of the prizes was an Android smart phone. They pulled my name out of the hat and I won the phone.

2. I have driven the Acura I purchased back in 2001 into the ground, a good car but it is time for a new one. Since we don't take any really long road trips much anymore, I am reliving my youth and have ordered a 'hot hatch', a Honda Civic Type R. Fast (0-60 5 seconds or so and top speed of 175-180mph) Lots of fun to drive in the mountains around where I live! Can't wait until it comes in.


3. Yesterday I got a call from Duke and am headed down next week to start the kidney transplant process. I have been on dialysis for over 7 years now but had to wait two years past my last cancer treatment. The only issue is that the doctors and researchers are not sure what might happen since I am in the first generation of 'cured' immunotherapy patients. The immunotherapy 'super-charged' my immune system to fight off the Stage 4 cancer but if I get the organ transplant I have to go on immunosuppressant drugs (the opposite of immunotherapy). There is no data or history on this situation, I will be among the first to blaze this trail. So my choice is; stay on dialysis the rest of my live or roll the dice that the cancer will not come back when I go on the immunosuppressant drugs. Which is more likely to kill me; cancer or DaVita? I am going to go for a transplant and am excited to start this new medical chapter in my life.
Don

Don,

May all you wish for come true!



John

Don, I wish you all the best and will remember you in my prayers. I hope you come through it successfully - I have now been cancer free for over 18 years, knock on wood


Peter

Good Luck, Don!

Don,

As a survivor of experimental cancer chemo 36 years ago, I know a situation like that is a tough decision.

Please keep us posted.

Godspeed my friend.

Dan

Don - all the best to you.

Best wishes!

Great stuff Don. My wife had a pancreas transplant 12 years ago now and she stopped having to take insulin almost immediately after the surgery. Still blows my mind. She has been shopping for a brain transplant for yours truly. AND the new wheels are awesome. Can anybody say "speeding ticket fund for Don is accepting donations"?

Wow that is a tough call. At least Duke is not a fly by night facility. Good luck. No matter what the outcome, you are willingly contributing to future knowledge.

That, Don, is a noble decision with a potential increase in knowledge helping untold numbers down the road.

Don I wish you nothing but the best. stick to your guns and you will come out on top or this also.

Don, all the best from the Netherlands. Johan.

All the best. I will also be praying for you.

Best wishes and prayers for a perfect outcome and many more years of enjoyable stamping!

Will be thinking of you Don hope all goes well.

Dianne

That's great. Duke has helped a lot of people.

Don,

Wish you all the best. Hoping you're around to help us all keep stamping smarter for many years to come.

Dale