Happy Valentine’s Day Everybody! It was really tough to come up with a Valentine’s outfit for Anna. Cupid outfits are just not easy to come by.
Jo and I flew into Washington D.C. yesterday and made our way to the NIH in Bethesda, MD. Last night we had a nice, romantic Valentine’s dinner in Georgetown. Other than the freezing cold weather and the snow piled on the streets, it was a great way to start our trip.
This morning we caught the 6:55am shuttle to the NIH – 4:55am Denver time, by the way. We saw several of the doctors in the morning and by about 11am, Jo was getting another bone marrow biopsy WITH SEDATION. Just like our last visit to the NIH, I was allowed to stay in the room and watch the procedure.
Dr. Sloand performed Jo’s procedure and she let me know that the NIH pays $250 to anyone who will donate bone marrow for their various experiments – no sedation provided. She said they will kick in an additional $30 if I donate blood. Jo suggested that I give some bone marrow each day we are here. I’ll have to give that some thought.
Around 5pm, Jo was admitted to the NIH hospital and we were told she would receive the Horse Serum ATG. The building is state-of-the-art and Jo’s room is actually very nice. Her TV doubles as a computer with Internet access. What more could you ask for?
ATG is an immunosuppressive therapy – it suppresses the immune system in order to give the bone marrow a chance to start working again. One thing we learned today was that it should take between 3 and 6 months to determine how Jo responds to the ATG. If she does not respond by 6 months, the NIH doctors all agreed that Jo should then begin a transplant and she would be eligible to have that done at the NIH.
1 comment:
Having been out of the dance world for a couple of years (I too have a weird medical condition - acromegaly) I've just recently learned the sad news of Jo's illness but also the happier news of her marriage and motherhood.
I don't know if you remember us Jo
Robert Wanstreet and Maureen Jessop
who are to blame for the spread of CW dance in France? We first met you at the British Championships way back in 95 (I think!) Where you 2Stepped with Larry Sepulvado without music! We were knocked out by your teaching, dancing and personality. We met at various European events over the years and I interviewed you when I used to write for dance magazines.
I'm so glad you got to marry the guy who waited patiently for you while on your international tours and to have choreographed together that perfect baby.
On befhalf of Robert as well as all the dancers in France we send you all our best for a successful treatment and eventual recovery. Knowing your strength of character and optimistic personality it's just going to be a matter of time before you pull through.
Maybe we'll see back here one day where you are greatly appreciated and your dances are very popular. You've brought a lot of happiness into a lot of peoples lives.
Lots of hugs and kisses from your French fans.
Maureen Jessop
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