When Sharon Minton's husband Rob broke out in a strange rash, his primary doctor thought it might be an allergic reaction to laundry detergent. What it turned out to be was an extraordinarily rare cancer called Sezary Syndrome, an aggressive form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. In 2013, he was told he had a 25% chance of surviving the next five years. Sharon shares the importance of being YOUR loved one's advocate, even if you have to speak up and be bold at times.
After researching with doctors and the Sezary Syndrome community, they decided Rob's best hope would be allogeneic stem cell transplant. They got on the registry and found an 8 out of 10 match.
Sharon walks us through the inspiring story of Rob's transplant, hospital stay, and move to an apartment nearby following the transplant. She credits exercise (even walking around the unit), friends and family, and her faith for helping them both survive this ordeal.
There were setbacks along the way, including cytomegalovirus (CMV), sepsis, and even fungal pneumonia. But today, Rob and Sharon are both doing well, with Rob running, fishing, and playing pickleball.
The information in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult with your health care provider regarding your medical decisions and treatment. The listed resources are not intended to be endorsements.
For more from the National Bone Marrow Transplant Link, visit us online at nbmtlink.org or call us at 800-546-5268.
This season of Marrow Masters is sponsored by the nbmtLINK, Incyte Corporation and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
nbmtLINK website: https://www.nbmtlink.org/
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: https://www.lls.org/