Inspirational Stories

It has been five years since Bob had his stem cell transplant to get him remission from acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but his journey started over seven years ago when he was first diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

It began on Halloween eve in November 2014 when Bob was taken to the emergency room at ACHM Hospital in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. His hemoglobin count (HGB) was extremely low, so he was given two units of blood. That led to his first bone marrow biopsy which revealed he had MDS. By September 2016, after many tests and another bone marrow biopsy, his MDS had morphed into AML. In December, it was felt that ACHM Hospital could not do anything further for him, so they transferred him to the transplant unit at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh. His oncologist, however, was concerned that because he was 75 years old it was very unlikely that they would do a transplant.

“I met with Dr. Kahn at West Penn, and he told me that he would not do a normal transplant because even if I survived it, I probably would not have a quality life. He then said if he could get me on an experimental chemo drug, Venetoclax, that I might have a chance,” said Bob.

After 45 days of treatment with absolutely no side effects, he had another bone marrow biopsy. His cancer level had dropped from over 30 % to 2%, so the decision was made to proceed with the stem cell transplant.

“On May 10, 2017, I had an allogeneic transplant, and the rest is history. After 152 cancer treatments, 57 units of blood, 11 bone marrow biopsies, seven units of platelets, and four phlebotomies, I was in remission. In May of 2018, I did spend 21 days in bed with viral pneumonia caused by a side effect of Vidaza as a maintenance treatment. But I am proud to say that I am not on any maintenance medications now, I have no restrictions, and all my blood counts are normal. And I am still the oldest donor transplant at Allegheny Health System of which West Penn Hospital is a part,” said Bob.

“I would really like to meet up with the 22-year-old young man from the south who generously donated his healthy young stem cells to a 75-year-old man. And we are thankful for Be The Match that helped this happen,” concluded Annette, Bob’s wife. 

Written by story volunteer