Matty B's Second Battle with Leukemia

In 2009, I fought through my first battle of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. After thinking I was in Remission for 10 healthy strong years, I am sad to say that my Leukemia has returned. Coincidentally, I was admitted to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL; 10 years to the date (October 29th, 2019) of my first Bone Marrow Transplant. I have been undergoing several rounds of Chemotherapy treatment at Moffitt. Unfortunately, the first few rounds of Chemotherapy did not clear away the Leukemia Blast Cells. This is because we found out that I have a mutation within my cells called “FLT3.”

      During my month break of recovery, I was given a medicine called “Gilteritinib”, which was used to target my FLT3 Mutation. Post-recovery, I was re-admitted to Moffitt to undergo one more intense round of Chemotherapy before my scheduled Stem Cell Transplant, being February 14th, 2020. Instead of using my sister as the perfect donor for this 2nd transplant, my doctors found 10-10 perfect match who was a young male from Europe.

We are currently waiting for my counts to nadir. Afterwards, my ANC needs to reach at least 500 before I can finally be discharged.

I had my Stem-Cell Transplant on Valentines day, 2/14/2020. I have been en-grafting very well since my Transplant. The actual transplant was very successful, other than a minor reaction due to my antibodies not recognizing the foreign cells. A few doses of IV medication and it was shortly under control and not to irritated for that long. It was a very significant day, thus being my "third birthday". April 18th, 1993, October 29th 2009, and my most recent Febuary 14th, 2020.

      I finally was discharged from Moffitt Cancer Center on 2/2/2020. I must be within 30 minutes of Moffitt for the next 70 days. This is potentially challenging for me because I live on Anna Maria Island, which is about an hour and fifteen minutes south of Moffitt. I am currently using Moffitt's lodging arrangements, which is a hotel conveniently close to the hospital, making my daily clinic visits a little more accessible than being back home on AMI. 

      Unfortunately, my bills and obligations DO NOT STOP, even though my world has come to a stand-still. With the inability to go to work, pay my bills, care for my dogs and cat, cover all travel and lodging costs, hospital and medication post-transplant expenses; it’s easy for me to stress out about these responsibilities when everything feels out of my control.  Any donation is greatly appreciated at this time, I will be out of work for another 3-4 months and anything helps!