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Anyone chosen to do chemo with HMA (vidaza) before transplant (BMT)?
Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) & CAR-T Cell Therapy | Last Active: Feb 25 5:19pm | Replies (17)Comment receiving replies
I'm going through the assessment for the transplant. They found i had a small blockage in my heart, but the platelets are too low to have a stent put in. So they are continuing with a few more test on my heart. They found a donor, but while during the assessment I was told they had dropped out. So they said they could use my daughter. Then recently they said they want to use an unrelated donor due to my daughter's age. She is 44. I've read unrelated donors may cause more complications. Has anyone had a transplant using a unrelated donor? If so, how are you doing?.
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@turbo65 Hi Crystal, I’d hazard a guess that the majority of us with an allogeneic transplant had MUD donors…meaning Matched-unrelated. The advantage is that receiving blood stem cells (cells that mature into blood cells such as red/white/platelets) from an unrelated donor is that the cancer cells will again be recognized by your new immune system. Your old immune system is compromised and in some instances unable to effectively rid your body of cancer cells. In fact, some blood cancer cells can trick the immune system into ignoring them. We have cancer cells in our body all the time but usually the killer cells of our immune system scrub these offenders before they get a foothold. Anyway, having someone else’s immune system gives you a fresh beginning.
If there are no alternative unrelated donors and your doctor uses your daughter’s stem cells it is still fine! However, as people age they may accumulate acquired genetic mutations thereby having the risk of importing undesired traits. Women who have been pregnant can create antibodies in some cases, but it does not automatically disqualify a potential donor.
Your doctor is just looking for the closest match to you. Either way, daughter or MUD, the transplant doctor will try to match you and the donor as close as possible. It’s not done with blood type at all. It is a process of matching HLA proteins. Most try for a 10/10 match.
I’m coming up on 7 years post MUD allo-transplant. I recently turned 72, feel fabulous and as a matter of fact, about 10 minutes ago got back from a 5 mile beach walk!
There are many of us in the forum who have gone through similar BMT journeys. Some members had been diagnosed with MDS, others like myself with AML and various other blood cancers. The BMT has given us a 2nd chance at life.
@katgob had her transplant for MDS and will be celebrating her 2nd re-birthday soon. Kat and other members have shared their stories in a discussion I started a few years ago.
My BMT story: Will you share yours?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-bone-marrow-transplant-bmt-story-will-you-share-yours/
This is not an easy journey but it all goes as anticipated it can be the gift of a lifetime…a second lifetime!
Are you nearby your transplant center or will you have to relocate?