Fwd: Fw: Update on Mithun

[Guest guest]

Namasthe,

 

Please go through this email and see if you can help.

Send this mail to as many people as possible.

 

 

Regards

 

Keshav

 

> -

> bkamath <bkamath

> Burde Kamath <bkamath

> Monday, October 04, 1999 11:42 PM

> Update on Mithun

>

>

>

> UPDATE ON MITHUN

>

It is just over a year since Mithun was diagnosed with

chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). We were hoping to find

an antigen matched bone marrow donor within a year.

Since we haven't found a match as yet, his doctors

decided to start him on a combination chemotherapy of

interferon alpha and low dose ara-c, given

subcutaneously everyday. About 50% of the patients

show cytogenic remission following a year of

interferon therapy. Initially Mithun tolerated this

therapy pretty well and his white blood cell counts

came down substantially. But his platelet counts also

started coming down and went below a dangerous level

(50,000) after 3 months of this therapy. Interferon

therapy was immediately stopped in late July.

Hydroxyurea (oral capsules) was started to control the

increase in WBC and to allow the platelets to increase

to normal levels. The doctors felt that interferon

therapy may not be suitable for him.

 

Now Mithun's need for a bone marrow transplant has

substantially increased. We are again urging all those

who have not yet registered with the National Marrow

Donor Registry (NMDP), to do so. You may be able to

save Mithun's or someone's LIFE for a minor

inconvenience, if and when your antigens match those

of a leukemic child. Finding a match is like a lottery

and we believe that by God's grace and prayers from

all of you well-wishers, Mithun will find a perfect

match soon. YOU may be that one in a million match

Mithun is waiting for. If you have questions about

bone marrow transplant and how it affects the donor

and the patient, feel free to call or e-mail us any

time. We are looking for some volunteers in each

community to come forward and conduct bone marrow

drives during the coming festival season (Navarathri

and Diwali). Conducting a drive needs some advance

(about a month) preparation. You can call us for some

guidance and help. During the last year, many of you

have generously given your time and conducted the

drives at many locations, for which we are eternally

grateful. May God bless you all.

 

Remember that even if one child's life is saved

because of your unselfish efforts, you will feel

immensely rewarded beyond what you can imagine. Please

continue to pray for Mithun's healing and well being.

 

> Burde Laxminarayan/ Urmila Kamath

> e-mail: bkamath

> Phone: 504-466-9474 Fax: 504-467-8165

 

 

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