Honored Heroes

MELISSA

In early 2020, I had been feeling off, I’m an active runner and professional who is always on the go, but I was getting winded so easily, and started noticing some random bruises. I went to my doctor, thinking I had anemia, but like the pandemic my world was about to change.

My white blood cell count was abnormal, and my doctor started mentioning Leukemia and that I needed to see a Hematologist. The words weren’t clicking in my head. Kids get Leukemia, adults don’t… what does this have to do with me? Before I knew it, I was getting a biopsy, started getting my plans in place, where I wanted to receive treatment, told only who I needed tell, and I was formally diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) on March 2, 2020.

I was admitted to Morristown Memorial Hospital for 47 days, and after a second round of chemotherapy I was released from the hospital in April 2020 in remission and returned for maintenance treatments to keep the cancer at bay.

I was determined to not be brought down by cancer. I walked the hospital halls every day, and continued to work at my makeshift desk, posting my meeting schedule on the door for the nurses and doctors. My workplace was very accommodating and supportive, and without my work to focus on, and my many music playlists, and thinking of my family, I don’t know how I would have gotten through those first 47 days.

There was an Intermediate risk of relapsing as I wasn’t considered a good candidate for a bone marrow transplant, but I was determined to do everything I could to fight my cancer. My doctors saw my fight and started to explore this option. I was scared to get transplant, but knew I had a high probability of relapse without it.

My son Mason was a match, and we started the process. We found I have antibodies against his cells, and ultimately decided to cancel the procedure. We were able to find another donor in November. They weren’t a perfect match, so I went through another round of treatment to prepare, and then donor got covid and they were no longer an option.

On December 15, 2020, I matched with a donor from France, started on pretreatment to accept her cells after full body radiation. It was a whirlwind with the uncertainty of obtaining her cells because of Covid, but they made it to the US and I got the procedure.

The first 100 days post-transplant is where the real work began. I couldn’t go into the office during this time, but team rallied around her, and various boards I was a part of were understanding. Transplant recovery was much harder, I was passing out left and right, my dog would find me and go get my husband. I had no idea what would happen each day during treatment. I lost my hair twice, I was very tired, napping a lot, swollen a lot, and anytime I had a symptom that didn’t make sense I panicked.

After I was diagnosed, I got involved with LLS because I wanted to give back, and I continue to support LLS not only because of what they do for patients, but how the also support family members and caregivers. I would be nowhere without my support team, and LLS provides materials about caregiving to help them through such a difficult time.

I’ve gotten back into running and set a goal to do 60 5ks before I turn 60, and have enjoyed paddle boarding again in the warmer months. I give back to those that helped me by speaking on a panel for transplant interest classes. And I spend as much time with my loved ones as I can enjoying every moment.