It’s been a challenging week for Jonathan and all of us. But despite the drama of the past few days, things are back on track and Jonathan’s ready for the Big T on Tuesday.

Jonathan started pre-transplant chemo (supposed to be all outpatient) on Wednesday and had to be admitted to the Hopkins on Thursday. He had a serious reaction to the chemo, spiking a very high fever and raising all kinds of concerns of different functions and levels they were monitoring. So, chemo was temporarily suspended and he was admitted as an in-patient again so he could be closely monitored and treated. Read the rest of this entry »

An update from us is long overdue, so we are sending a Thanksgiving hello to let you know that you’re in our thoughts and to share the latest news on Jonathan.

December is going to be a big month – Jonathan turns 0 on December 8^th.  Yep, his stem cell transplant date is finally set for the 8^th and we plan to follow tradition and celebrate the big day with a Day Zero birthday party for his new cells.  We were at Hopkins today signing the consent for the clinical trial, making everything officially official.

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Extreme Home Makeover tonight features the inspiring story of a leukemia survivor and her bone marrow donor.

Hope the episode goes a long way to raising awareness about just how easy bone marrow donation is  — and how important to blood cancer patients like Jonathan everywhere searching for the miracle donor who will be the cure they’re searching for.  A simple swab can truly save a life!

Every five minutes, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer, such as leukemia and lymphoma. Every ten minutes, blood cancer takes a life. Currently only 3 in 10 patients will find a matching donor that could save their lives.

Check out our friends at DKMS and Be The Match for more on joining the national bone marrow registry today.

Jonathan’s beautiful bald head is starting to regain it post-FLAM hair.  He has right now we loving refer to as his 13-year old boy beard growing back…I share this to highlight two great ways you can get involved this month in the fight against cancer, whether you fancy a smooth scalp or are up to the Mo mustache challenge.

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Hello from rainy Baltimore. I’m still stuck at Hopkins and dealing with big-time nausea. But my high fevers seem to have subsided, as least for the time being.

Docs sayI may be in for another week. Then I’ll have a week of freedom before starting pre-transplant diagnostic tests for the half-match done marrow transplant I’ll be getting from my sister at the end of November.

If you’re looking for something to read this weekend, check out The Recession Nation Project by my good friend Andres. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been an eventful week on the Team Haupt front. Jonathan was released from Hopkins a week ago Friday, late in the day after the Orioles came to visit. We headed home to Silver Spring, but he restarted daily outpatient appointments the next day, so didn’t get too much of a break from Baltimore.

Jonathan was released with very low counts, so spent all week feeling pretty lousy and battling spiking fevers, not unusual when your neutrophils are just starting to kick back in. But Thursday his temperature climbed all the way to 106+ and he was readmitted to Hopkins. Read the rest of this entry »

Team Haupt’s network of support wouldn’t be what it is without all of the people we’ve met online and off who have helped to keep our spirits up, sending encouragement and laughter Jonathan’s way the past 7 months. Connecting with fellow patients online has been a special source of strength for Jonathan.  So, all of us here are thinking about two of Jonathan’s fellow patients this week.

With extreme sadness, we’re remembering Nick Glasgow, who lost his courageous fight with acute leukemia earlier this week.  Read the rest of this entry »

Today is LIVESTRONG DAY and it’s been an awesome one for Team Haupt so far, raising awareness about leukemia and bone marrow donation with the Orioles.  Anyone who knows Jonathan knows what a huge, lifelong fan he is of the Os. So getting the chance to meet Jeremy Guthrie, Adam Jones, Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman was a thrill.  And after 26 days here at Hopkins on 5C, it was a much needed burst of positive energy.

Can’t thanks the guys enough for taking the time to come out for Jonathan and Team Haupt. And huge thanks to the amazing Melanie, one of our favorite nurses on the 5-C team, for making this happen. Seriously means so much to have their support behind us in this fight. Baltimore continues to amaze  us with good will and generosity.

Best of luck to the Os as they wrap us their season this weekend. Next year’s another year — for all of us — and true Os fans keep the faith!

Yup, still here on Day 24.  Just when I thought I might get to go home… it appears I may have to stay a bit longer.   Rash and fever = not getting to go home just yet.  My room is decorated and in real estate terms is “cozy” aka small.  Thanks to everyone that came out to celebrate my 33rd birthday!  It really meant a lot to me to see everyone and thanks for decorating the room and chemo-sabi.  On Monday, Courtney and I celebrated our 7th anniversary with a toast of Pellegrino and I have a true 7 year itch with the rash.  Hope to get rid of this fever and rash soon so I can go home.