Good Dean News!!!

Hello friends and family-
As you know, Dean had his 1 year-post-transplant anniversary appointments during these past two weeks.
We got to hear all of the results a few days ago, and they are all good.
(all good!!!)
That seems like such an understatement. It is incredibly welcome news, and there is really no way to give it enough poetry or exclamation points… so I’ll just stick to the facts…
Basically, on a molecular level, Dean is doing beautifully, one year out.
He is 100% donor, there is no molecular evidence of MDS, all of his various blood counts are either in the normal range or climbing steadily towards normal… such beautiful results.

It was kind of a funny appointment last week- we got to hear all of this wonderful news, ask questions, tell a few jokes… and then were informed that Dean would be getting the first round of his vaccinations today (it’s like having your childhood vaccinations all over again), it would be “six or seven shots… and you might feel pretty bad for a few days afterwards.”

Ack!
So, we didn’t have a lot of time to celebrate before another procedure was underway.
(Apparently the nurses stood on either side of him, and gave him simultaneous shots in each arm. Ouch.)
And so it continues, this healing odyssey.
There is a long stretch to go- fatigue and nausea are things that come and go.
Dean is weaning himself off the last of his medications- not an easy task.
Integrating all of this past 16 months into who he is now, as a musician and as a person- something that will take years, I think.
He is playing all the time at home, and taking gentle but definite steps back into working/recording/performing.
On the exact date of his one-year anniversary, Dean played his first public performance in over a year. That was an incredible way to truly celebrate.
As always, I close by saying “thank you.” There are never enough ways to say these words… you have all helped to carry us through this year, and you continue to help. Thank you.

So much love,
Megan

Ps- I will send out another email soon with information about the bone marrow donor registry and cord blood registry… in case you’d like to get on those lists.