Lohberg Waiting For Good News
2008-08-06
Craig Lord
Dara Torres' cancer-stricken coach, is waiting to learn whether his sister might be a match for a bone marrow transplant

Michael Lohberg, Dara Torres' cancer-stricken coach, is waiting to learn whether his sister might be a match for a bone marrow transplant.

'Right now, they're trying to figure out why his body rejects transfusions,' Torres said at the USA press conference. 'I think that's the next step they're to figure out. They're also trying to figure out if his sister is a bone marrow match. So, I'm just kind of taking it day by day.'

Lohberg has aplastic anemia, in which the bone marrow doesn't produce enough new cells, leading to fatigue, increased risk of infection and uncontrolled bleeding. Treatment can involve blood transfusions or a bone marrow transplant.

Lohberg had hoped to be in Beijing to see Torres race but must remain home for life-saving treatment. 'He's doing a little bit better,' said Torres. 'It's nice to be able to talk to him. About four days during his treatment, I couldn't speak to him. He had real bad side effects ... It feels good to be able to talk to him on the phone and hear his voice and hear him a little peppier than he was a few weeks ago.'

Lohberg also coaches seven other Olympians from five countries.