Michael was faithful in sharing with his family any viable information that he found during his research on PKD. I am not certain if he did it because he was excited that he found a new medical research/therapy or if he passed it along to give us hope as well. Either way, we were his allies and supported him. One day Michael received an email from his dad Harry, who lives in Canada. Harry had remembered Michael telling him about the transplant tolerance protocol that was happening in India (he wasn't too keen with that notion) and decided to do some of his own research on the internet. He came across a site with an article about stem-cell transplants happening alongside kidney transplants in Chicago, Harry believing that he had come across something that was intriguing, immediately emailed the article to Michael. This was it! This was exactly what Michael was hoping he could find in the United States, could this be his deliverance? This was exciting but there was another potential obstacle in the way. This type of transplant was being conducted only through a research study. Research studies or clinical trials explore whether a medical strategy, treatment, or device is safe and effective for humans. The study was looking for 30 "qualifying" recipients and donors. Both the recipient and donor would have to go through rigorous diagnostic testing, lab work-ups and mental evaluations. Each trial must include only people who fit the patient traits for that study. Michael discovered that the study was being headed by Dr. Joseph Leventhal. Dr. Leventhal is an internationally recognized expert in antibody induction strategies for transplantation and the Director of the Living Donor Renal Transplant Program at Northwestern University. It is the largest living donor program in the United States. Michael had a new goal, find out more about this study, meet with Dr. Leventhal and be chosen!
Dr. Joseph Leventhal, speaks concerning traditional transplant vs. stem-cell transplant.
Michael and Joe woke up feeling good and back to normal! What a good night's rest (as well as no injections, no meds, no cell harvesting) can do! Right? One of Michael's old friends from Canada, Brandan came by to spend a few days with him and Joe. Brandan's cousin, Andrew from Sheffield, England just so happen to be vacationing in Chicago. Brandan had planned to come see Andrew in Chicago when he found out that Michael would be there as well, so the planning began. We could say this day fell together by chance, but I don't believe that. Brandan and Michael attended college together and then later were co-workers in Canada. Its been 21 years since they last saw each other. There is NO doubt in my mind that there has been a lot of laughter going on today. As they were catching up on "life", they had time to do a bit of sightseeing around the Magnificent Mile. I smile, because I'm happy to know that Michael is having some special moments, good times and living life to the fullest through-out all this.
Michael, Brandan and Joe - Starbucks is not the sponsor for this blog! (lol)
Sightseeing a bit around Magnificent Mile.
Dinner with Michael, Brandan, Joe and Andrew.
15 Days to Transplant. To all those in this battle, remember "there is a light at the end of this tunnel". Below is one of Michael's favorite songs. You are not alone, and neither are we.
God's Blessings. Lilly :)
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