The wife of Chadron State College Athletic Hall of Famer Jason Robinson says he remains exhausted, but is “right on track” after undergoing a stem cell transplant a week ago at the Mayo Clinic in the Phoenix area.
A CT scan in 4-to-6 weeks will give doctors a clear idea of how the procedure is working.
Tresha Robinson, also a Chadron State graduate, says the biggest concern short-term is a virus or infection since her husband’s immune system was wiped out by 6 straight days of chemotherapy to prepare him for the transplant of stem cells from his younger brother Jeremy.
Doctors tell the Robinsons it will be about two weeks before they know if the donated stem cells have been “engrafted” by Jason’s system, but remain confident the transplant will work since Jeremy tested as a perfect match. They also have medicines in reserve that encourage acceptance of transplants.
Tresha Robinson says the family believes that God is going to heal her husband, but is still asking that everyone keep praying. She says they definitely felt the power of prayer when Jason had the transplant…receiving some 600-million stem cells collected from his brother the previous day in a 6-hour procedure.
Jason Robinson was diagnosed with lymphoma…a cancer of the blood…two years ago and has lost 30 pounds from his already-lean frame. The hope is that the stem cells received in the transplant will develop into healthy blood and marrow cells.
The three Robinson brothers…Josh, Jason and Jeremy…came to Chadron State from Thompson Valley High School in Loveland, Colo….one every two years from 1988 to 1992. In their combined 12 seasons, they scored 5,081 points and grabbed 2,128 rebounds…making them one of the most successful brother trios in college
There was at least one Robinson in the Eagles’ starting lineup for 8 straight seasons and two of them starting for 6 of those seasons. All three brothers, who were recruited and played for Bob Wood, are in the CSC career top 10 in both scoring and rebounding, and are all in the CSC Athletic Hall of Fame.
Josh, the oldest, is CSC all-time leading scorer and holds the single-game scoring record with 51. He’s now head boys’ basketball coach at his high school alma mater, Thompson Valley High
Jeremy, the youngest and a 2012 inductee into the Hall of Fame…coaches the girls’ team at Liberty High School at Joes, Colo.
The 6-3 Jason was a 2-time All-State selection in basketball, a 1-time All-Stater as a wide receiver, and a 46-foot triple jumper at Thompson Valley. At CSC, he was an Omaha World-Herald All-State College selection as a junior and senior, graduating with 1,581 points and 560 rebounds.
Jason…who is a farrier…Tresha…a veterinarian…and their 3 children live in Queen Creek, Arizona, about 50 miles southeast of Phoenix. Coincidentally, all 3 brothers have 3 children.