FAQs

There are certain questions that have come up time and time again, so I thought I would address those here.

1.)  How did Kristine get leukemia? 
Answer:  No one knows.  There is no indication as to how Kristine's cancer developed in her bone marrow.  The doctors have been baffled by this.  Kristine has Acute Myeloid Leukemia (subtype still unknown at this time).  AML is most common amongst the elderly ages 60 and over and is rare in persons under the age of 40.  With that said, one of the nurses had a discussion with Kristine stating they have recently seen an increase of patients aged 18-40 diagnosed with AML.  Specifically how recent is unknown. 

2.)  Does Kristine need a bone marrow transplant? 
Answer:  Yes.

3.)  Should friends and family be tested to see if they are a match?
Answer:  No, not at this time.  Kristine must first be evaluated at the next facility she will be treated at -- Ronald Reagan Cancer Center or City of Hope Medical Center.  Her best chance at a match will be with one of her three sisters.  If none of them are a match, the doctors will then look to the National Donor Registry for Bone Marrow for a possible match. 

4.)  Do you need to have marrow extracted to be tested to see if you are a match for Kristine?
Answer:  No, the test is a simple swab of the inner cheek.  In fact, a bone marrow donor doesn't even have to have marrow extracted from the hip as most have thought.  Blood is simply drawn and the stem cells are extracted from the blood.  Now that all of you know this, go out and get tested to be a potential bone marrow donor!  There are plenty of people in the world who may need your help.

5.)  How is Kristine REALLY feeling and handling everything?
Answer:  Honestly, exactly as I've documented in this blog.

If anyone has any specific questions they would like answered, please don't be shy, ASK.  You can call Dave or email me at karenk@lendscape.com and I promise we will do the best we can to get your questions answered.