A Bone Marrow (Stem Cell) Transplant

I created this website page so family and friends would be able to read updates and/or leave messages for Dennis during his recovery. We have now opened the site publicly, hoping it will help others who might be considering a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant.

Use the tabs at the top of this page to locate the topic you're looking for; also, you may read any updates you may have missed by selecting the posting date to the right (or follow the "next" link on each page. Another tip - if you would like to see any of the photos in a larger size, just 'hover' over the picture (or click on it to open the picture in a new window).

Dennis was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a type of blood cancer (a cousin to Leukemia) in July, 2012. Although chemotherapy and transplants rarely lead to a permanent cure, Dennis has great doctors, is tolerating treatment well, and has been cleared to undergo a stem cell / bone marrow transplant which will drive the Myeloma into remission.

Dennis has been through treatments of blood transfusions, 6 months of chemo, a multitude of tests and is now about to undergo the key treatment - a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant. I will be with Dennis during his transplant and recovery in the hospital (in Detroit), which is expected to be as long as a month-long stay.

After he receives his transplant, and when Dennis is strong enough, the hospital staff will permit only healthy adult visitors. No one under age 16 can enter the unit. Karmanos requests that friends and family please not send flowers or latex balloons due to possible allergic reactions.

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