New voice--Meret Oppenheim here.

I live in New York and am a friend of Susan and Dan's. Susan asked me to act as a liaison to friends and relatives for the next few weeks so she can give all her energy and attention to Dan. Aside from posting health updates, my main function will be to act as a sort of traffic coordinator.

Dan would like visitors and the next two weeks will likely be the best time to see him, since he'll be too sick to see people after the upcoming round of chemo. But unannounced visits are tough on him. To get around that problem, if everyone could email their available visit times to me, I'll make sure that visits are spread out so Dan can handle them.

Visiting hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. If at all possible, try to allow at least an hour for your visit. Although actual face time with Dan will probably be short--5 to 10 minutes, maybe 15--he may be resting or undergoing a procedure when you arrive and unable to see you immediately. If you bring a book or laptop to pass the time, both Dan and Susan will feel more comfortable about not having to be "on" if the timing isn't perfect.

My phone number is 914.714.0217 if you'd like to call. Otherwise, send email to funwithmeret@hotmail.com and I'll do my best to set things up asap.

Post from Susan.

Well, just like Dan's disease, these posts don't get any easier to write. As has been the pattern these past few weeks, Dan was re-admitted to the hospital yesterday (Sunday the 29th) for dehydration and constant nausea. He feels a bit better now, but the news we did not expect came earlier today.

Although the preliminary result of his last bone marrow biopsy was good and showed Dan was still in remission, the final result showed more leukemia. This means Plan D (I think), which will be more intense than any of the previous chemos. Assuming he starts this round in the next few days, there will be about a 2-week period where Dan will feel ok/bad instead of terrible (so probably into the 2nd week of Jan.) It would be nice if people came to visit him to lift his spirits, but he is asking again that NO ONE drops by unannounced. There are so many factors--tests, napping, general feeling bad--that might make a visit bad timing.

So if you'd like to come for a small chunk of time (say 10 mins or so), please contact me, Susan, via email or cell. I have a Blackberry so I'm always able to get your emails or texts even if I can't pick up the phone. I will always let you know exactly what Dan wants and needs.

As one Nurse Practitioner said today, we are in "miracle" territory, so please put your thoughts and prayers into overdrive. It does not go unnoticed. I always read Dan your blog posts if he hasn't checked it, so write something good and I will pass it along.

With gratitude,
Susan
cell: 646-637-xxxx
email: susanmfritz@gmail.com
*emails/texts preferred

I've been feeling very sick since last I wrote, but the plan is still to move forward as planned with the transplant. Since the last post, I ended up back in the hospital for a few more days. It's difficult to stay hydrated and my hemoglobin (red blood cell) counts needed to be replenished, but they let me out of the hospital for Christmas Eve and Day. There are a few more details to iron out so I don't know the exact date yet, but I will soon. Susan and I visited the floor where I will be for the duration of the transplant and it looks very plush (as NYC hospital rooms go).

More to follow as I know it.
Happy Holidays

These next few weeks will be busy ones, filled with tests and preparation for my bone marrow transplant, which is still scheduled for the first week in January. I will not be seeing any guests this month, as I am trying to minimize the risk of infection of any kind. This is a serious problem for people in my situation.

The transplant hospitalization will last at least one month, including chemo, radiation, and the transplant. Following that is a very long period of recovery at home (up to nine months), during which time I will be seeing and doing very little outside of the apartment. In other words, see you all next fall.

Here are two sites that will direct you to information about the transplant.

*www.marrow.org
I am getting an "Allogeneic" Bone Marrow Transplant

*www.mskcc.org
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's site

Keep sending your comments to this blog or to Susan's email address. Thanks.

I'm back at home after 2 more weeks in the hospital (mostly due to dehydration and nausea). I have a busy month ahead of doctor appointments and tests in preparation for my bone marrow transplant, which will take place around the beginning-to-mid January. They have lined up the specific donor who will go through a 5-day donation period at Sloan-Kettering so that the doctors and hospital have full control over every aspect of the donation process.

Because I had one more round of chemo, my immune system will continue to be very weak. It's important that I limit my contact with people/germs for the next month.

Thanks to everyone for their continued thoughts and prayers. Dan