This morning I heard from a cyber-buddy in Tennessee. He was writing to tell me his wife Dori had relapsed with leukemia. She had a transplant a month after I did in 2007 and has been fine since. This is a very late relapse, but it happens. I know Dori and her family are devastated. I still remember the cold fear I felt when I found out I'd relapsed. It's arguably worse than initial diagnosis because you know exactly what's coming.
Dori will beat the leukemia down and perhaps have another transplant. She's certainly strong enough, and has everything to live for. It is a nasty experience, but doable. Ann has had two transplants. I've also had two. Ronni has had three MUDs herself.
For now, Dori and Jim are going to make no decisions over the holiday weekend, just be together as a family. That's the best thing they can do, the best thing any of us can do.
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Adirondack Mountains, Feb. 2007
Tale of a Cord Blood Transplantee Who Relapses and Goes on to Have a Matched Unrelated-Donor Transplant
The Weight
Adirondack Mountains, Feb. 2007
ABOUT ME
In March 2006, I was diagnosed with a blood cancer called Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). Life as I knew it came to a crashing halt. After enduring a month in the hospital where I received intense chemotherapy, I was declared "in remission." I had three additional treatments and remained cancer-free until May 2007, when I relapsed.
My only shot at survival was to have a stem cell transplant. However, my brothers' immune markers didn't match mine, and an international search of bone marrow registries found no perfect matches. A transplant using the blood from two umbilical cords was recommended. I grasped at this straw in September 2007. It seemed to work.
This blog tells the story of my transplant and recovery, replete with outrageous slings and arrows. The expression "blood is thicker than water" has new meaning for me. I remained alive due to the blood of strangers, two of them, both male. Thanks guys.
The plot thickened when I relapsed 19 months into my new remission and had to go through the same rigamarole once more. This time, I received stem cells from a matched adult donor who was identified last go round but didn't fit into the necessary time frame. Charles Dickens could have fun with this, the stuff of pulp fiction.
I remain in remission 4 years later. My donor keeps leukemic cells in check but finds interesting ways to attack my body. Chronic graft versus host disease keeps me firmly entrenched in the medical world. And so it goes.
My only shot at survival was to have a stem cell transplant. However, my brothers' immune markers didn't match mine, and an international search of bone marrow registries found no perfect matches. A transplant using the blood from two umbilical cords was recommended. I grasped at this straw in September 2007. It seemed to work.
This blog tells the story of my transplant and recovery, replete with outrageous slings and arrows. The expression "blood is thicker than water" has new meaning for me. I remained alive due to the blood of strangers, two of them, both male. Thanks guys.
The plot thickened when I relapsed 19 months into my new remission and had to go through the same rigamarole once more. This time, I received stem cells from a matched adult donor who was identified last go round but didn't fit into the necessary time frame. Charles Dickens could have fun with this, the stuff of pulp fiction.
I remain in remission 4 years later. My donor keeps leukemic cells in check but finds interesting ways to attack my body. Chronic graft versus host disease keeps me firmly entrenched in the medical world. And so it goes.
4 comments:
I'm just gutted. What can we do?
Hi PJ, I'm glad I got to catch up with you. Everything seems doable. Chronic GVH is not really chronic, mine eventually left me. I think you're doing really well.
Awful to hear about relapse that late. I really don't know where you folks get the strength from. But then you find it when you need it. Let's hope you will never ever need it again, and let's hope it will be the last time for Dori and her family.
Hugs, Brenda
hi pj,
I will keep your friend in my prayers. Did you go to DFCI this week? 11months :) Brian is heading back to work on Monday. We think of you often.
Happy friday,
MB
PJ, You are wonderful. We find great strength in your honesty and resilience. Dori mentioned your name a time or two today. Love from us all ... Jim
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