The BMT debate

[Guest guest]

When I was first diagnosed and knew virtually nothing about anything,

I was made to believe that a BMT was a simple procedure that you went

to the hospital to get, you had it, you left, and you were cured.

That was the end of it.

My doctor at the time (who was a transplant specialist) made it sound

similar to having a baby. It's a little tough for a little while but

in the end you get a new life and all is good, end of story. It was

only after reading various members BMT journals that I began to

realize that it wasn't quite that simple.

I was only 31 when I was diagnosed and was told that this was a

perfect age to do a BMT and I was the perfect candidate for it too

since I was otherwise healthy so I followed very closely all the

members who were near my age group at the time and who chose

transplant. I'll never forget these people, they impacted my life in

a very strong way.

Mark was only 32 and the father of two little girls when he " went for

the cure " . He died about 11 months later.

was a marathon runner and only 28 years old. He was in far

better shape than anyone I knew, yet he died about 4 months after his

BMT.

Glenda was 33 and the mother of 2 young girls. She never made it out

of the hospital.

Doug was in his 40's and was doing so well that he had started

golfing again. He was our big BMT inspiration with almost no

complications. That was until he caught some type of infection and

died about 6 months post BMT from his weakened immune system.

Melinda was in her 40's and struggled terribly with post BMT

complications until her body could take no more.

was in his early 30's but never left the hospital. He left a

wife and two young sons behind.

There were many more than this who died, all young and otherwise

healthy but I think I've made my point.

I chose not to go the BMT route because I didn't want to put my

family through that roller coaster ride. I honestly believe that the

family goes through more than the patient does and I just couldn't

put my family through that. I never want to be a burden to the one's

I love.

A BMT is not an easy treatment and it is not necessarily a cure. Yes

a BMT can potentially be a cure but it can just as easily be a death

sentence.

I don't say all this to scare anyone and certainly there are patients

who have no other options, but for those who do have options, I want

to make sure that they understand the risks involved because there's

no turning back once you start the BMT.

Regardless of this, anyone who has chosen to go for a transplant, has

been supported by group members 100% and that will never change.

Tracey