Haploidentical transplant

David Levy had a BMT (10/10 unrelated donor) at age 33 and reduced intensity conditioning was used. Perhaps this is opening the door for older patients. There's a lot going on that might make BMT for older patients much safer in the future.

Hi everyone,
We are home now with chimerism at 100% donor , no gvhd so far and no blood transfusion since end of February, alhamdulillah.
Have been advised to continue on immune supression till 1 year post BMT . Then will start vaccinations all over again.
Thank you all for your prayers. Please continue them.
So happy mashallah.
Zahra

So happy to hear the good news Zahra, Alhamdullilah...

a really wonderful news Zahra! SO happy for you. Congratulations to your entire family.  Is this treatment done in John Hopkins in Maryland? who is the doctor/BMT specialist you worked with and did insurance pay for it? please reply if you are comfortable answering the questions.

Zahra,

Hearty congratulations to you and your family!  I am so happy to hear!

Was the haplo transplant low intensity conditioning?

Once again, so so happy for you!

Sharmin

Thanks everyone.
Zahra

I'm glad to know things are going well, Zahra. I've been a bit distracted by the birth of my granddaughter last week.

Congratulations Andy...I wish your granddaughter a long happy and healthy life ahead.

Thank you, Fahed.

Congratulations on the birth of your granddaughter Andy.
You're a granddad. Wow!
May she keep you distracted with her cuteness and love always.

Grandfather twice now. My daughter also has a two year old son, who I spent a ton of time playing with during our trip.

I haven't talked about this here, but during the pregnancy, my daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went through 4 rounds of chemo during the pregnancy after the surgery, and next week, she will begin 4 treatments with taxol, the second chemo drug. This has been very difficult to deal with, especially very recently when a young local woman that my wife knew, died from breast cancer while we were in California visiting our daughter. This woman was 3 days older than my daughter and left three children behind. It's very sad and a stark reminder of the possibilities facing my daughter.

May God grant your daughter a complete recovery and give you and your family the strength to support her during this difficult time. My mother also went through this a few years ago and by the grace of God is fine now. You guys will make it through this.

Thank you, Zahra. Since my wife went through breast cancer shortly after Lisa's death in 2004, we have learned to appreciate every moment. Every year that passes is a major victory.

Good day to each and everyone.

Happy new year 2018.

My son recently had his Haploidentical Transplant done at the Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital in Rome, Italy. He did the transplant in September 2017 and is transfusion free since with NO INCIDENCE OF GVHD and a stable Hb around 12. He had NO fever, vomiting or diarrhea during the transplant and even after the transplant - the doctors are so good with the level of drug administration and care over there. His appetite is amazing and he is full of energy now.
All his blood work results are within range and the doctors are extremely pleased with his recovery thus far.

I will like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for the words of advice from Andy and his esteemed team and you the caring parents/guardians who form part of this forum.
To each and every parent in this forum reading this message - DO NOT GIVE UP!!! I have seen children from all over the world cured from Thalassemia, Leukemia, Sickel cell and Diamond-Blackfan anemia. I saw them ill and now they are all cured. The oldest patient is 17 years old - wow! I even saw a sibling match and there was no difference in terms of engraftment and recovery.

The techniques used by the doctors are really God sent and everyone should take the opportunity to cure their child. I am of the opinion that it is unfair for a child to reach adulthood and still be transfusion dependent. In the past yes, but the present - NO. I will not go into much details, but, anyone who wishes to contact the hospital can do so by calling the International Assistance Team at +39 06 6859.3061/4497/3586.

God bless! and best regards.

Congrats Baby_boy for the good news, so happy for you.

Was it a reduced intensity chemo?