Today's the transplant day. It sounds more intimidating than it is. My day starts at 7am with a shower and an orange. At 8am I go to my first of two radiation sessions. At noon is my second radiation session. The radiation, coupled with all of the previous radiation and chemo will wipe out the last remnants of my white blood cells. Around 2pm I will be given a blood transfusion with stem cells from the cord blood donors (yes plural, there are two). The idea is for the better match of the two to win out and eventually (within four weeks) graft to my body and begin replicating white blood cells. These new white cells will be in my body, created by my body, but cellularly they will be of the donor, not of me. These new white cells will be my new immune system, fighting disease better than my old system. Once the replication of white cells reaches a certain level in my body, I will be strong enough immunologically to be discharged. Assuming neither infection nor complication in this time period, then everything worked and I'm off and running.
I am ready, strong, and full of light. You all are my power.
I'll be laughing and fighting in my hospital room, in a hepa-controlled, super sterile environment, until the day I'm dishcharged. I'll see you soon.
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David Holder
(202) 270-3174
Thursday, March 20, 2008
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26 comments:
lots of love. jane
Dave,
You're in our thoughts, daily. We love you.
Jenny, Kil, Miles and Cole
David, Your courage and strength inspires me. You're in my mind and prayers everyday. Love, Elizabeth
We'll be thinking of you today! Stay strong!
Love, Becky and Alan
First of all, how totally amazing is that description! The very concept is astounding.
Second, I had to laugh while reading about your HEPA controlled environment. I keep picturing John Travolta's body from The Boy in the Bubble with your face superimposed. Interesting combination! lol
Today is a turning point in your fight. I smell success!
love,
Leeann
Dear David, you're in our thoughts every minute...and we send our strength and hugs.
Love,
Shelley and Shel
Breathing with you...
Sal
you and liza - your whole family - you're in my thoughts. i'm wishing you light and laughter and enormous numbers of new white cells.
emily demsky
Big prayers for you today!! My Grandmother and Mother-in-law have you on their respective church's prayer lists too...Good thoughts coming from everywhere. We love you guys. Heather
David,
You and Liza are always in our thoughts. You have an amazing support system and we all know you're going to be up and running soon!!!
Much love to you both,
Linda & Ed
First, thanks for the explanation. It is really helpful to understand from an overview perspective. And amazing that doctors can do that stuff.
Second, keep your EYES ON THE PRIZE, baby. We are all pulling for you. Way to go!
-William, Dana, Cov & Ellie
READY, STRONG, and FULL OF LIGHT- That's you! My energy and heart are with you. Get um tiger!
Love ya- SK
(a note to dave's new marrow)
Dear Mr and Ms New Bone Marrow cells,
You've been spending much of your time holed up in a chord blood registry these days, so you're probably pretty anxious to get out into a real live bloodstream. That said, I'm sure you're also a little concerned about where exactly it is you're going over the next few hours.
Well let me assure you that, with all due respect to the cell structure from which you came, you are about to make a major upgrade. Please allow me to introduce you to Dave Holder, one of the finest human beings around, and someone who could use a little of your help right now.
Dave is a nice Jewish boy from a place called Bal'more. Like every other fully functioning human there, he grew up with a lacrosse stick in his hand. And he was a superlative player for quite some time...then an above-average player as high school grew into college...and then, well, thank goodness he settled in with a nice group of friends.
He took his academic studies all the way to law school, became a successful entrepreneur, and met a young lady named Liza along the way. Together they spawned two beautiful boys, Eli and Reed. And throughout this awful ordeal, they have been reminded time and time again how loved and admired they are by those around them.
So welcome, new bone marrow, to this incredible bloodstream. May you enter quickly and easily, and may you enjoy the next several decades of Dave's life with him.
We look forward to seeing you again soon. Until then, we will be praying. Hurry home!
David N. & Family
David,
And now begins that much-anticipated step bringing you towards a time when this is all a distant memory. You are an incredible, strong, wonderful fighter and you make us all very proud. We are waiting to come visit you and the twins can't wait to meet you. A real life superhero. Their peers will be jealous.
Love, Caren
David and Liza, a belated welcome to the neighborhood! We're thinking of you, saying prayers for you in shul, and sending our best wishes across the Hudson. Purim (tonite and tomw) is about those 3 F's you mentioned, and also about fighting and not giving up, so a HEALTHY Purim to you! Let us know when you can have a visitor - we'll be there in 30 minutes!
Love, Shani, Jerry, Zakai & Shamai
David, I am in awe of you. You are in my thoughts daily. Love, Aunt Ellen
So by now you have had your transplant, I assume. Yeah! I like the idea of the donor competition. A competition to get to be your new immune system is totally appropriate. I know you won't feel good for a while, but I do love that the HEALING begins today. LOVE, Dana
Hon --
Thinking of you all the time and sending good vibes from B'more.
Love you guys
Amy
Dear David,
Karen, Tom, Sam and Sarah are sending positive energy, our love and prayers.
David and Liza, We are wrapping our arms around you both and holding on tight. So much love, Jenny and The White Boys
thanks for reminding me about Airplane. A classic. The Italian needs to be educated! I think you need some British humour, is your DVD player multi-regional?
your Sedgwick fan club is sending you warm springtime wishes. Love Emma & co xxx
I love new white blood cells. They ROCK!
Diana Reidy
I hope that shower felt good and the orange sustaining! Prayers and thoughts...Glad this will be behind you. Now the healing begins!
Dottie Manigan
dave,
hope transplant day went smoothly and those white blood cells start working their magic. All our love to you and Liza.
seema, vinny, leo and roman
OK, I love the post introducing your new bone marrow to your body. Man, now, if we could only all get Dave Holder courage and inspiration transplants!! Now wouldn't that be something?!
Love you, thinking of you, here to help in any way you need me to. I'm downloading Skype tonite and mailing you some "tools" this weekend. We'll talk!
XO
CMF
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