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In January 2015, I had a stem cell transplant at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Because traditional cancer treatments were not going to cure me of my disease, this was a last resort procedure not without significant risk (infection, rejection of the new stem cells, or even death).  A family member donated her genetically matched immune system stem cells to me. (Sometimes strangers provide the matching immune system stem cells for patients; see The Match: Donate Marrow or Blood Stem Cells ). A stem cell transplantation procedure and recovery starts with a 3-4 week stay in the hospital for the patient…

I was admitted to DHMC on January 8, 2015, and on that day, chemotherapy started to crash my immune system. A week later, an infusion of healthy donor stem cells was administered to me intravenously. I was in the hospital for 25 days before I was discharged to start the long recovery as an outpatient. I left the hospital with a portal in my neck vein, 15 prescriptions, fatigue, strict infection control guidelines, and the beginnings of a 25-pound weight loss.

At home, I had amazing support from my family. My husband (working full-time), my adult children (at college), my sisters, and my friends all pitched in and grocery shopped for me, cleaned our house, planted my annuals in my garden, brought me lunch, sent me books and movies, read to me, talked with me on the phone, sent funny photos, bought ginger snaps and herbal tea to help my fussy tummy….many acts of kindness. My sister Molly (the oldest of 4 girls) has always been an amazing caregiver to our whole family-helping people move, taking care of nieces and nephews, and caring for both our parents. She has a caring spirit.

Molly drove from Ohio to New Hampshire to be my main care partner through the initial recovery period. She ended up staying for six weeks at our house, cooking for both my husband and me, doing the laundry, driving me to appointments, giving me my medicines, and cleaning my port, all the while keeping me laughing. I was having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, and one of the DHMC nurses suggested giving me lots of caloric ice cream. Molly took this suggestion to heart, and knowing me, she found the perfect choice: a new brand of salted caramel ice cream that she found at the Lebanon Food Coop. It was delicious and is still my favorite.

I would not have survived my transplant without my sister Molly. I really could not care for myself and accepted Molly’s help gratefully. She cared for me like only a loving sister can, and for that I am forever grateful...

One week Molly and I watched all we could find of the Westminster Dog Show. She loves dogs, and we had a great time watching all the fancy and groomed animals. After six weeks of Molly’s unfailing help, I was getting better and stronger--my blood count numbers were slowly rising into the normal ranges, and my energy was starting to improve.  I was surrounded by loving care.  One night,  I insisted on sending Molly and my husband out for a glass of wine at our local restaurant. They deserved a night out and a celebratory toast to a job well done: caring for a fragile transplant patient. They were very much on the treatment and recovery ride with me, and they led the way when I was too weak or sick to engage. 

It took me 18 months to fully recover from my stem cell transplant. Molly and I went to New York to watch the Westminster Dog Show in person on my two-year stem cell transplant procedure anniversary. In Madison Square Garden, we cheered on those dogs like the thousands of others in the stands and had a great time. After the show, we went to a little New York restaurant where we ate salted caramel ice cream and drank a glass of wine. It was an evening of fun, one I will forever remember with profound gratitude for my sister’s companionship, help, laughter, and love.