[Mark Topaz]

Kathy, if you could send me your contact info, I would love to talk to you.

Thanks,
Mark

[Mark Topaz]

I don’t know what you mean about “greater than physical” life. If you are talking religion, I don’t believe in any of that stuff that people delude themselves with because they’re afraid of death.

My interaction with people around me is based upon the activities that I participate in. Practically all of my interactions are based on the sports I play and going out listening to music and dancing. Take those away, and I’m left with my solitude and indoor hobbies.

It’s funny, but growing up poor, I tried to be frugal and since I didn’t work in an industry where I would get any kind of a pension, I did a good job saving for my old age, which I thought I would have an old age. My mom lived to be 95 and everyone said I would live a long life because of how active and healthy I was. So much for any of that. Well, one positive is at least I don’t have to stress about all of my investments plummeting as the market tanks.

I’m trying not to be too pessimistic, but if it came to that, how likely is it to find a donor match from a stranger? I have one sister, who lives in another country, whom I barely have any contact with. That’s it. And if one has to get the bone marrow transplant, what happens when you come home from the hospital, if you come home? Do you need to be taken care of? I love my cat but he is only good for emotional support.

[Mark Topaz]

Thank you for the replies. Cliff, while sailing and golf sound nice, neither of them involve running, jumping and doing a lot of physical exertion. I’m trying to not get too depressed, but being stuck in the house alone for who knows how many more weeks or months, is certainly not helping. I’m hearing a lot of different possible outcomes, but none of them sound good. So, from what I understand, its basically an incurable disease, which depending on the person, will progress over time, with some people faster than others. The only possible cure is a stem cell transplant, which may or may not even work, and is just as likely to kill you as it is to cure you. Do I have this about right?

[Mark Topaz]

I assume that at your age, you’re retired. I’m still working occasionally. Not full time but I’m a television production freelancer. Can I still work? It sounds like most of the people with this are much older than I am and were retired when this hit them.

[Mark Topaz]

Thanks for replying. Here’s a couple of questions which you don’t touch upon. Will I still be able to keep working? Also, will I still be able to remain active? Playing sports, traveling, going out dancing, etc. Or will it be like it was before I got the transfusion, when I played tennis and got winded after hitting 3 balls in a row?

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