The Chronicles of the P.K. Part 4 (Bone Marrow Transplant)

Once Cory's Cancer came back in September of 1987 he was in need of a bone marrow transplant. Vanderbilt hospital wasn't equip to treat his cancer, so Lexington was the best choice for a children's hospital. So he was moved to Kentucky. With that surgery we all had to be tested to see if we was a match for it. I can remember having blood taken and waiting. Out of all of us the pattern with like this. Jay (the oldest) matched Cory 100 percent, Darin (second oldest) matched myself (second youngest), Shawn (3rd oldest) matched Brett (3rd youngest) and Kristi had no match. It was strange that it worked out like that. I always have wished that I was his match. I wanted to help as much as I possibly could. Even though I was young I always tried to be a big help. That would have been a huge help, but wasn't meant for me to do. Jay was the one and did what he had to do. Jay being fifteen years older knew exactly what was going on and what was going to happen. He had to go into the hospital the night before the procedure and then it was done the next morning. Jay said that it was painful and felt bad for 2 to 3 days afterwards. the marrow was scrapped out in a very painful manner. That wasn't the end of what was needed from him.


For the next few weeks he would have to travel back and forth to Lexington from Portland, Which was over 3 hours away. Jay would get off work at 5 or 6 p.m. and drive to the children's hospital. He would arrive late then be up early. Around 7 a.m. he would have to give plasma for Cory. It would take a long time and the needles were such a big gauge they would prop his arms up to prevent him from bending them. The needles could rip his veins if he bent his arms. Hours and Hours of giving plasma, to help his baby brother. His blood was pumped out, into a machine which spun his blood to remove the blood then pumped back into him. My mom did the same for platelets, due to his low platelets. I didn't know all this, Jay has filled me in on his experience. I had no idea what he endured. Late night driving down dark highways by himself. Car trouble, flat tires, all for Cory.


So imagine that and its just a small glimpse of what Jay went thru. He did what most 20 year olds would not even have to worry about. But it wasn't the only time, he did it twice. On January 29th of 1988 he did it again. Like all of us, doing what he could for Cory. Do you have siblings? If so, would you do the same? I know he would do it again and again. There is a bond with siblings, but with the Gregory name at the end, that bond is like concrete! Jay said once he was up in Lexington when Cory told a couple that was visiting something that is embedded in his memory. He said "When you go to church tell them to pray for a me. Don't tell them my name, just say you have a little friend whose cancer has came back". That was Cory, wanting prayer but without worry. Sometimes things are placed in our lives, without answers. I know if it came down to it Jay would do the same for me. Any of my siblings would. I would do it for them too. Blood is thicker then water and sometimes you have to mix in a little bone marrow.... to be continued