Wonderful news to report: we found a donor for James. The donor is a 12/12 match, what they call in the health care industry a “perfect match”. The donor is somewhere in Europe, 41 years old and has donated before. All good news in our book. Maybe James can apply to be part of the European Union post-transplant! Hah!. Ex-pat status, here we come. ☺
As is expected we are in high spirits. It is amazing that there is some stranger out there that will be helping James in such a huge way. If you haven’t already, please do what you can to become a potential donor and get into the database. We cannot express how much joy and relief the donor has brought into our life.
The hospital is now finishing the last bit paperwork with our insurance company and getting all of James’ medical records from his hematologist. We should meet with the transplant specialist next week to develop a schedule for the transplant process. We will update the blog then so that everyone knows when James will be in the hospital.
Thank you everyone!
23 comments:
Congratulations, guys! This is definitely the best news I've seen in a while. While it looks like there is nowhere to donate my cord blood at this time, I definitely plan on stopping by red cross (it's on my walking route, so I know where it is!) and getting in the system in your honor.
rock on!
jjj
Yeah, I'm going to talk with my doctor next week. It's time to pay it forward.
GREAT news!!! I am so glad and relieved. Who is this Brit? Can we all get his address and send him cards, flowers, chocolate? James, you are constantly in my thoughts. I am sending lots of love to you, Stacey, Robert, Crystal and Kyle.
Raine
Well Godspeed! That fat not as funny on his own Irishman needs you back!!!!!!!!!! Get well soon..........one reason I actually kept cable over dish was to keep cable access and you guys!!!!! You guys were there back in 2004 when the nightmare was going on and could be ending. Please see Bush out the muthafuckin door!
Jennifer in PDX
Praise God! Josh and I are so glad to hear James has a donor! We are praying for all three of you and for the financial burden to be lightened. We love you guys, James, Stacey, and Robert you are in our thoughts and prayers!
Thanks everyone for your words of encouragment and good cheer. They have been so nice to read.
James, Stacey, and Robert. We're really happy to hear about the donor. You're in our thoughts. Here's hoping for strength and well-being.
Kelly and Clinton
Oh, I am sooo happy! Mike just joined the donor bank, and I missed my chance Thursday to do it free on campus, but I will do it asap! I know it is important since I am Asian American. I am soooo happy for you all. This is such good news!!!! Thank you for doing the blog, too, so we can be updated. You all are in our thoughts often, often, often.
Thanks friends and family for your kind thoughts.
This blog is open to the public, including people who watch James' public access show, in which James regularly says that we should get out of Iraq.
As the above email demonstrates, the crazies are out there, they are watching, and some of them are hateful, disturbed people.
As this is not a political site, but rather a place for family and friends to keep updated on James' health, I am hoping that there will be no more of the above kind of responses. There are many other forums that people can have their voice heard.
We will be ignoring any additional political emails. Just wanted to let you all know what this was about.
Thanks everyone. Have a great week!
Love,
Stacey
Dear Stacey,
I moved that comment over to the Portland Freelancer where it will reside in all its glory as part of these times.
Sorry I didn't see it before you.
---Bill McDonald
I'm so happy to hear the great news!! I'll be thinking of you guys and hope the transplant as well as the recovery both go very smoothly. Looking forward to more updates! Take care and much love.
Cahley
p.s. Looking into becoming a donor as well ... =)
I'm thinking about you everyday James!!! Wonderful news you found a donor match! Sending my love to you & I will see you guys next weekend.
:) Heather M.
It warms my hear to read these loving messages. I am so grateful for the progress being made toward your recovery. I've already said my rejoicing words regarding this perfect match to you in personal emails. I love the response of your friends to this wonderful man for his gift. Hope this time I can make this post happen. Love to you very dearest three. (I love the photo)
I must say this is most awesome news. My heart and profound love goes out to each of you, James, Stacey and Robert. My thoughts and prayers are with you continually. James know this, you are loved beyond, beyond as well your beautiful family. Looking forward to your profound and speedy recovery.
Much love always,
Merry, Larry, and Jordan
Good News! Wishing you a full recovery. Miss see you around Portland Community Media, don't be a stranger.
Alain LeTourneau
EFS, Portland Community Media
Fabulous news! You are all in my thoughts daily and this news made my day. I hope to give you (James) a big hug when I come to pick up Robert on the 29th. Sorry I missed you last time. I hope your energy is picking up.
love to you all,
Erin
David and I were just getting our weekly dose of Born to Slack. Thought I'd check out the website on the show and what wonderful news! Does Shirley know? She's been a tireless activist on getting HR to set up a donation center in the hotel.
I'm really happy for you and your family. And the union just isn't the same without you. There just isn't anyone for me to argue with anymore ;-)
In solidarity,
Eryn Slack
UNITE HERE Local 9!!!
first :
the last slacker show was a super one..
not that Bill's narative on his own was missing anything... we love him
BUT...James had so much energy... and the finish was like a well written tune...
BILL..I loved the 'Bush ..rob from the future' comment.. came to you like a great improv solo.. classic
JAMES: your energy is all I had hoped for...optimism builds immune systems...
NOTE: we remind each other to see the show.... no matter how busy
LIKE:
"...Honey ...the 'boys' are on..."
----------
as 'GREYS', we think of you as our own...hehe
==========
now onto second thing:
what a beautiful baby....
and 3 beautiful faces
love and hope to you guys.
my Irish luck ... and all our good Kharma to you 3
TOM for
TOM and LES
Hello...
Bless you dear James Your Family, Friends and any others concerned.
Dear James... Hello there.
So happy and blown away that you have a donor !!!
I have been so sad about your plight. Now there is a cure coming about---> All of us here at our house/and farm believe in your FULL recovery.
This family has been praying for a FULL recovery and sure enough many, many more are doing the same... but for some fans maybe they are just as stunned as we all are/were when we heard this much more than overwhelming bad news concerning your health.
If anyone can beat the heck out of this ordeal we know that James will OVER-POWER it with that great optimistic view James possesses.
With every show of Born to Slack... You and dear brother Bill get right to the facts like no other anchor team we may ever see. The Bill and James team tells the absolute truth
with sprinkles of some of the funniest material we have ever had the good fortune to witness.
Which my family identifies with 100% on all of your topics.
With all of this scary and horrific hell that you've had to face from the day of conformation by your Doctor of your disease-That alone was such a negative blast to your emotions... beyond mere words to express at 1st. I too know what a downer and fearful position you fall into after hearing such bad news.
Especially when it came right out of the blue and off the wall
when least expecting it.
To make it even worse when you are freaked-out and very sick... then the task starts when you must find all of the knowledge you need to learn in a rapid time frame about this tricky health problem. At 1st, your quest becomes hard to find the facts and cutting edge info too. This was your worst negative time period-which was perfectly natural to be afraid of and land you and yours in a state of shock.
Not to forget that you kind sir are
SO blessed with a strong,loving, concerned and caring family,other loved ones,including your friends, plus loyal fans must be comforting. We definately feel and without any doubt... know this in our hearts that you and yours are in the SUPER positive rebound state now. Loaded with HOPE,knowledge and filled to the brim with your optimistic out-look on your life.A wonderful and a LONG life await you dear James.
Lastly, I want to Thank You and Bill along with your supportive families & access staff for helping me through some of the most darkest and terrifying days & spooky nights (so wrapped up in fear) I became ineffective in trying to save my own life.
After being told I had 2 diseases
that would & are now slowly killing me... Not one thing could pull me
out of my already giving up 'spent & exhausted' mind set fueled by severe fear and heartbreaking pain.
So sick... that I could not begin to even start to try and save myself through my extensive searches for the knowledge that I desperately needed to save my own life.
A miracle happened one REALLY bad night to me while I was becoming more & more self-absorbed,confused and with thoughts of just giving up.
All of a sudden... like Manna from Heaven: The Born To Slack Show came on !!! that night.
As they say "laughter is the best medicine" Well... you both dosed me very well with that excellent and SUPER funny trademark laughter
medicine and fact sharing you both are unique at. This probably sounds corny...
But I do think you guys indeed saved my life or at the very least
made me think in another direction
to get my mind off of my troubles.
We miss you kind sir James.
Too bad this isn't a big Punk'd
issue for the show to us fans and this really wasn't happening to you.We know that you will not only
get your transplant that will 'take' and not be rejected... but
that a VERY healthy James will live a VERY long life/and treat this later as just a speed bump on the at times,rocky road of living life itself. Plus... remember that these anti-rejection drugs the Doctors
now have at hand have come a VERY long,long way.So... not to worry.
Bless this donor to the highest !
We are and will be forever GRATEFUL to you both and extended Thanks to your families and all who help in any way down at Cable Access.
What a team !!!
Most Respectfully and we will do whatever we can at this time and on into the future to help you & yours.
Respectfully and Thank You to all involved for all the shows you all
have put out.Now you know how to save a life. If I don't stop here the next time you see Bill (now with a big head) he'll be demanding to be called Doctor Bill standing
at the foot of your bed with his white coat on and your chart notes in hand.
You take the best of care now and we send our best to your Family too.Bless you kind sir.
Love and Light To You All
From Rabbit Moonshadow and Family
Dear Rabbit Moonshadow,
Thanks for your outstanding letter.
I'll never wonder if it's all been worth it again.
---Bill McDonald
Oh my gosh!!! I am so happy for you all. This is incredible news. There truly is something bigger watching over you. I continue to think and pray for the perfect outcome for all of you. I love you all very much.
Jan
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