I was really hoping to visit the Maple Festival in Marathon this weekend, but instead I had a chance to see my Dad and that definitely outweighed everything else. You see, my Dad had his second bone marrow transplant in the beginning of March and was just released home this past week.

In November of 2011, my dad was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer called Myelofibrosis. Myelofibrosis is a disorder of the bone marrow, in which the marrow is replaced by scar (fibrous) tissue. This means that my dad’s bone marrow is dry. Bone marrow is basically a factory where various blood cells are produced. Blood cells are a necessity to live. When a person’s bone marrow is dry, it means they’re not making the blood cells they need to survive. Obviously, this is bad.

My dad is one of the lucky ones. Most people wait years for a bone marrow donor. Some never find the bone marrow they need. A bone marrow match was found for my dad and he had a successful transplant. However we learned in early January that the transplant had failed and this is why he had to have a second transplant in March.

Dad has lost almost 100 pounds since February and is very frail. The chemo and radiation made his hair fall out. Dad still struggles with his mind and is incapable of walking or doing anything else on his own.  For a while, I wasn’t sure I’d get to see him again, so this trip home was extra special.

Me and my Dad
Me and my Dad
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With my sisters Beth and Sarah. There's a baby in Beth's belly!
With my sisters Beth and Sarah. There's a baby in Beth's belly!
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A tender moment between my Mom and Dad
A tender moment between my Mom and Dad
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With my Dad and my three littlest siblings: Sarah, Charlie and Sam.
With my Dad and my three littlest siblings: Sarah, Charlie and Sam.
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My niece Kayleigh was sad that poppa is so sick.
My niece Kayleigh was sad that poppa is so sick.
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If you'd like to learn more about how simple it is to become a bone marrow donor and possibly save a life, like my Dad's, click here.

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