AML: HLA Typing ... A is for Awesome

Even though we are waiting on results from one last potential match, one of the five people tested will be selected for my transplant.  So with that known, I have a window for the transplant.  Late April to early May.

I mentioned HLA typing before.  I thought I'd elaborate to illustrate why the HLA typing has been difficult in my case. 

First, A well-matched donor is important to the success of the transplant.  It also means the new cells are likely to take to me and the chances of graft-vs-host disease is less.  There are usually 10 markers compared between me and a potential donor. 

They have identified several good (9/10)matches for me.  The one 10/10 match though is female with children, which they prefer not to mix genders of they can avoid.  So I have been told.  It lessens the chance for graft vs host. 

Ilustration A on the right illustrates the markers they test for and a 10/10 match.  Illustration B shows one marker different and a 9/10 match.

However, after the doctors at Mayo met me, they felt it important to test for an 11th and 12 marker.   As you can see from illustration C the high level of awesomeness in my DNA has been difficult for them to find a match.  Hopefully this last person they are testing is either Chuck Norris or the guy from the Dos Equis commericals.    Can't argue with DNA.