Posted on 04/23/2005 4:09:59 AM PDT by DYngbld
TO: THOMAS. YOU ARE THE BEST LITTLE BROTHER! I -- On a sign posted in Thomas Tatem's hospital room.
DURHAM, N.C.
When a nurse finally delivered the bag of deep-red liquid to Lisa Tatem, she cradled it like the most fragile piece of glass. She stood motionless in the hospital hallway and stared.
"My God," Tatem whispered. "That's really it."
Inside the pouch decorated with a "Finding Nemo" sticker were cells from her daughter's bone marrow, the soft tissue that makes blood cells needed to fight disease. Those cells, invisible to the eye, could heal her two other children - her beautiful, silly, Lego-loving boys, worn out by a week of powerful chemotherapy to prepare them for this day.
Transplant day.
In a few moments, 12-year-old Kaitlyn's cells would begin to fill their veins and bones, and, perhaps, cure them of a dangerous immune system disorder that threatened to cut their lives short. The siblings were such good matches that the odds are in their favor.
Seven hours earlier, surgeons at Duke University Medical Center had used a hollow needle to suck a quart of bone marrow from Kaitlyn's hipbones. They punched about 200 tiny holes into the bones of a girl terrified of needles.
A few months ago, in fact, Kaitlyn was too scared to be a donor. But she also understood all along that she was a medical wonder. In a world where many desperate families never find a bone marrow donor, she was a perfect match for Nathan, 9, and a near-perfect match for Thomas, 5.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailypress.com ...
BTTT
Gladly, my friend.
In Christ,
Deacon Paul+
Prayers up for the boys and their tremendous sister. (That had to hurt.)
It does. Had it done when I was 11. I'm now over 55 and have lots more scars, Purple Hearts, etc,..and I still recall that it hurt like h#!!. God bless her and her brothers.
My prayers for the Tatems.
Please keep us updated on how the boys are doing ... and tell Kaitlyn how brave we think that she is.
If the bone marrow is as precious as the story describes, why do they let Mom, who I assume is not a medical professional, handle the bag?
Please post your replies to DYngbld
DYngbld, My prayers go up for The Tatems...Especially Kaitlyn, Nathan, and Thomas. God's healing hand over them all. Lord, please heal these children. Bless Kaitlyn for her unselfish acts to help her brothers. Surround the children with your angels. Provide this family with comfort and peace. Surround them with your love. In Jesus' precious name. Amen
Kayak - thank you for the ping.
Blessings,
trussell
If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.
Tearful prayers going up now. Please keep us posted on their progress.
Prayers sent.
Prayers sent.
It was in a sealed bag. The doctors, nurses and family, had a celebration, on the transplant day. Almost like a birthday, and in a way it is a new birthday.
Prayers sent.
bump
I join in prayer for all these children and their parents and loved ones!
Carolyn
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