Twenty years, 3,000 transplants.
It almost sounds like a new car warranty. But for the University of
Nebraska Medical Center and its clinical hospital partner, The Nebraska
Medical Center it represents a significant milestone in the treatment
of cancer patients who come to Omaha from all over the world.
On July 3, the medical center oncology/hematology staff performed its
3,000th bone marrow/peripheral stem cell transplant. Mary Ann Mack,
a 45-year-old from Harshaw, Wis., was the recipient of a stem cell transplant.
Mary Ann and her husband, Mike, were recognized Friday at a news conference
at the medical center. They were joined by James Armitage, M.D., dean of
the UNMC College of Medicine and the person who started the transplant
program 20 years ago, and Anne Kessinger, M.D., the UNMC oncologist who
pioneered the use of peripheral stem cells for transplants in lieu of traditional
bone marrow transplantation.
A junior high educator for the past 13 years, first as a science teacher
and now as a library media specialist, Mary Ann came to UNMC for treatment
of her non-Hodgkins lymphoma. She was originally diagnosed in August 2002.
However, after receiving eight cycles of chemotherapy in Wisconsin, the
cancer was still present. Because of the type of lymphoma that she had,
Mary Ann was told that her best hope for a cure was high-dose chemotherapy
treatment with a stem cell transplant. Given that, the Macks next step
was to locate a cancer center to do Mary Anns transplant.
We did research on other transplant centers, Mary Ann said, but everything
pointed to UNMC. Other centers were doing 15 to 20 transplants a year for
non-Hodgkins lymphoma, while UNMC was doing 70 to 80 a year.
We had never really been to Omaha before. We rode our bikes across
Nebraska about 15 years ago and had a great experience. We found the people
of Nebraska just wonderful.
The Macks arrived in Omaha on June 10, and the following day, Mary Ann
began treatments leading to her eventual transplant. Under the direction
of Julie Vose, M.D., professor and chief of the section of hematology/oncology,
UNMC department of internal medicine, Mack was to undergo an autologous
stem cell transplant in which her own stem cells would be harvested and
then frozen while she underwent high-dose chemotherapy.
Seven bags of her frozen stem cells were thawed and then infused intravenously
on July 3. Within a few days, the stem cells engrafted, giving Mack a new
immune system and putting her on the road to recovery.
I look at July 3 as my new birthday, Mary Ann said. Thats the day
I was reborn. The Macks will return home to Wisconsin this weekend, but
will come back to Omaha in October for Mary Anns 100-day checkup.
Throughout her illness, Mary Ann has maintained a positive attitude.
In reflecting on her transplant experience, she said she hopes that others
who find themselves in a similar situation will be encouraged by her story.
The support weve received has been overwhelming — from family,
friends, colleagues, church, community and the medical establishment,
she said. We feel really blessed to have this support. Im honored to
be the 3,000th transplant recipient.
Throughout the transplant process, Mary Ann kept two inspirational messages
by her side. The messages are:
May you take the scars in your life and turn them into stars to shine
light for others following in your path. Author Unknown
The worst thing in your life can sometimes contain the seeds of the
best. Cancer Survivor Day, Wisconsin, June 6, 1992.
In leaving Omaha, the Macks had high praise for all the medical center
staff and the cooperative care system used by transplant patients at the
Lied Transplant Center.
The Lied Transplant Center and cooperative care is what attracted us
to Omaha, Mary Ann said. Its comforting. Everything is right here
the nurses and doctors it was great. We met the nicest people at the
medical center. They couldnt have been nicer.
Mike (her husband) was my cooperative care partner. He was the best
doctor I could have had. He checked my vitals, gave me my medications,
tracked my nutrition and appointments, and best of all gave me companionship
and support.
After taking the past school year off to battle her cancer, Mary Ann
is looking forward to returning to work for the upcoming school year.
As they leave, the Macks said theyll never forget their time in Nebraska.
Nebraska will always have a special place in our hearts, Mike Mack said.
We think the state motto The Good Life is very appropriate.