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Monday, July 9th

Today's post is coming to you in evening.  It's been a long day of driving around and keeping our boy busy. 

Counts for Otto continue to look good.  His platelets and red blood cells are holding steady at an acceptable number.  We continue to wait to see when the counts will rise.

The girls both had busy days at camp and swimming.  They also were able to go to a friend's house to hang out for the afternoon/eve.  Thanks to everyone who is helping us with coverage.  It means a great deal to us.

We also had a wonderful visit from PAC.  They presented Otto with many goodies, but the best of all were the one of a kind PAC jacket and the hand painted watercolor with the team's signatures.  Otto is so thankful for everything!



Although Otto has been in good spirits and health (relatively speaking), we have hit our first bump in the road.  We got word back today that neither of the girls are a bone marrow match for Otto.  Ironically, the girls are a match for one another.  Now we will have to wait and see if there is a match through the bone marrow registry. 

We're sure many of you are saying, "Can I get swabbed?"  If this is something that you would like to do, we want you to consider the following.  By completing a cheek swab and sending it in, you could possibly be helping to save a life, not necessarily Otto's.  Please also know that we are in no way, shape or form, asking you to do this.  This is a personal decision that one needs to make for their own reasons. 

If you want to become part of the bone marrow registry, please go online to www.bethematch.org .  By clicking on the top right tab, "Join", you will be lead to the page for registration.  You will also have access to Frequently Asked Questions if you want to learn more about the process. 

Thank you for being a part of our journey. 

With love and gratitude,

Mark, Leigh, Otto, Tess and Lulu

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