March 22, 2018

Dear Mr. Anonymous Donor,

I hope you’re doing well today. I don’t know where you live, but I’m from Merrick, NY. Last night, we got about a foot of snow on the first day of spring. How ironic! I had to be in NYC at the hospital this morning. I tried to get a good nights sleep, but needless to say, that didn’t happen. I was so worried about getting in and whether or not my appointment would be canceled. Thankfully, it all worked out, and I’m here right now.

I like the quiet and stillness of the night. It allows me to just take a breath, collect my thoughts, and I certainly do my best writing then. My days are sometimes very hectic. As you know, I have 2 kids who keep me quite busy within the best of my abilities. I guess I should tell you a little about me. I’m 53 years old. I’m married to a wonderful family man named Barry for 21 years. He made sure to stand by my side and keep our family together despite my Disease, not an easy task by any means but certainly a great life lesson! I have an incredible family as well, mom, dad, sister, nieces, nephews and mother- in-law. They have all stood by my side throughout this ordeal, as it takes a village to raise a child.

Before getting really sick, I was a Special Education Teacher and taught for 18 years. I absolutely loved my job and miss it each and every day. I became real ill in 2006, and it took 5 years to get properly diagnosed. I traveled to many different hospitals in the US before being diagnosed by a doctor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts. By the time I was diagnosed with Mast Cell Disease, I was 100 pounds, on a feeding tube 12 hours a day and real close to death. Over the years, I tried many different treatments to no avail. I  had an Autologous Transplant back in July 2015 that worked for a bit, and then i regressed. I then tried other chemotherapies with no success. My disease causes me to have allergic reactions to so many things including foods, chemicals, odors, medicines, altitude changes, temperature changes, environmental allergens and other things. My reactions are daily and can cause anaphylactic episodes. It’s a very scary disease.

My appointment today involved going over general procedures and information. Right now, you’re a name to my doctors in a computer database without CMV, with my blood type and with my HLA typing. You remain completely anonymous to me except that you’re the youngest male in the bank. One day, your anonymity will reveal the real you. I can’t wait for June 2019.

My admission date will either be May 21, 2018 or May 29, 2018. The conditioning regimen will last 9 days, and I will be transplanted on the 10th day of my admission.

I’m one day closer to meeting you❤️

❤️Tara