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Join the National Marrow Donor Program and save a life: Be the Match.
Deb Hubsmith
I'm blessed with a beautiful life, wonderful family and friends, and had an exciting career. But, in October 2013, I was suddenly stricken and diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) following a two week illness not unlike a flu. My life changed immediately.I was treated by Kaiser Permanente Hospital in San Rafael, California for months where I received multiple rounds of chemotherapy. This treatment did not knock out my AML and my only hope for a cure was to go to Stanford Hospital for a bone marrow transplant (BMT) in March of 2014.
The BMT was very intense and painful but I made it out of Stanford alive. I was doing great and growing stronger until November of 2014 when my blood counts again dropped. I am now being treated for a rare bone marrow condition called serous atrophy, which keeps stem cells from functioning/multiplying properly in my bone marrow. I lost a significant amount of weight and have intense fatigue, must avoid public places (due to infection risk), and as a result spend much of my time lying in bed.
I deeply want to live but desire to have a quality of life that includes dance, community, working for environmental/social causes, being able to enjoy time in nature and spend quality time with my beloved newlywed husband Andy Peri.
I am surviving on blood transfusions and am in a place of yearning to survive. I am also open to letting go of this life with grace should my options fade away. What carries me more than anything else is the dramatic, soul-enriching love of family and friends and my own love and acceptance of change and all that has come to pass.
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Tag Archives: CBC
What a Difference a Year Makes!
It was one year ago today, on October 17, 2013 when I got a call that changed my life forever. Dr. Lori Kim, an amazing Oncologist from Kaiser Permanente called me at 11:30 AM to let me know that the … Continue reading
Posted in Deb's Blog
Tagged acute myeloid leukemia, AML, anonymous donor, be the match, bethematch.org, bone marrow biopsy, bone marrow transplant, caregiver, CBC, Deb Hubsmith, Dr. Lori Kim, Dr. Robert Lowsky, engraftment, hair loss from chemo, HEPA filter mask, immunosuppressant, Kaiser Permanente, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, leukemia diagnosis, mucositis, recovery from BMT, Stanford Hospital, therapeutic yoga
10 Comments
Three Thumbs Up!
I heard the absolutely best news ever on Wednesday, June 18 – which was exactly eight months after I was admitted to Kaiser Permanente to start chemo for acute myeloid leukemia. My Stanford doctor, Robert Lowsky, MD, met with my … Continue reading
The Ups and Downs of Recovery
Sunday morning, May 25, Deb woke up with a queasy stomach. She didn’t have much appetite and couldn’t finish her breakfast, which is usually a fairly substantial meal for her. Andy was here, and they had planned to go to … Continue reading
Posted in Health Update
Tagged acute myeloid leukemia, AML, Apheresis, bone marrow transplant, CBC, Chemistry Panel, complete blood count, Deb Hubsmith, graft vs host disease, GVHD, HEPA filter mask, immunosuppressant, Infusion Treatment Area, IV hydration, nurse practitioner, Stanford Hospital, stem cell transplant
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