Update from IVY

I had a short conversation with Rajesh today. He is back in Vellore but not in the hospital yet. He went to Palakkad with family for about 12 days as there were some delays from the donor side. They reached back because Rishi’s school is reopening on 5th.

The 1st Donor has been found medically unfit for the donation and hence they are now looking at the 2nd donor. So there may be at least 10-15 days delay.

This is quite disappointing because he was geared up for the transplant as per original plan but came to know of this day before yesterday. However, he is still taking things in his stride and is in high spirits having had this break. He has also gained some weight after eating authentic Kerala food.

Let us continue our prayers for quick closure of formalities with the 2nd donor.

Warm regards
Ivy

Update on BMT.

Dear All,

As you may have expected I should have been in Palakkad enjoying the rains there. However due to certain changes in the schedule, we have cancelled the trip to Palakkad and stayed back in Vellore. The reason for this is  the possible early arrival of the Bone Marrow Extraction from US. 

The earlier plan was that it would be cryogenically transported here. However it was made clear that NMDP would send the extraction not cryogenically but in dry ice at -4­ C and this has to be transfused into me with in 72 hrs of extraction. So all the preparation have to be done to me prior to the dispatch so that as soon this arrives, I should be ready for the infusion. 

So I would be admitted on the 21st and my Hickman’s catheter would be installed by 22nd followed by two days of Cyclophosphomide chemo( 23rd and 24th) and 3 days of total body radiation( 25th,26th, and 27th). So if the extraction is done on 26th or 27th it would reach Vellore by 28th or 29th by which time I would be ready to receive this. 

The Doctor suggested that I could go for a week to Palakkad. Given my leg condition , the risks involved of the travel and change of place etc., we decided against it and planned to stay with the family here in Vellore itself for it is better to finish the treatment off as early as possible.

So I would humbly request you all to pray and support me for this final phase as you have all been doing it for this long. Hopefully I should finish this phase off without much issue.

Regards
Rajesh

Close to Transplant!

Update from I.V.Rajesh from UK:

Spoke to Rajesh this morning.

Rajesh is in good spirits since the bone marrow match has been found and the transplant will happen in June 1st week. He is eagerly waiting to go on a short break to Palakkad in the next few days so that he can come back recharged.

He has started using elbow crutches to support his leg. Pain is still there but has reduced quite a bit. He also keeps watching the IPL matches, although he feels some of them look completely rigged.

Act of generosity.

This past Saturday, Raji and Christopher Thevathasan (of Richmond, VA) demonstrated an act of kindness and generosity that begs to be mentioned here.

Each year they host a Sri Lankan food stall at the Asian American Celebration in Richmond downtown. They donate the proceeds from this effort to a worthy charity of their choice. This year they decided to support the cause of our dear friend Rajesh. Words cannot express the gratitude of the HelpRajesh team. We thank the couple from the bottom of our hearts.

It is also important to mention the contributions of the Cooks4Cure team, which volunteered their time and effort in preparing potato curry and raitha that was served at the Sri Lankan stall. This was sold along with the Vegetable Pulav, Sri Lankan style curry chicken and Lemonade that the Thevathasan's had prepared.

HelpRajesh Team

Update from Rajesh

Had a chat with him this morning. He is resting after another gruelling round of chemo. His counts are a low currently. He is in good spirits, watching the IPL cricket matches.

Things are moving forward towards a early June transplant. His donor(s) have been identified. After his counts come back up, he will be looking at a discharge from the hospital for a week or so around the middle of May. He will come back, towards end of May and get ready for the transplant.

Hrishi has gotten an admission into a local school, which he will join when schools resume in June after the summer break.

Narayanan