A former Police Officer in battle against AML

Police Brig. Gen.(Ret.) S.T. (63) is a former police officer, expert in police computer systems and specifically in personal identification. Since he retired from the Police, he’s led a very active professional activity, as an advisor and entrepreneur. About 3 years ago, while travelling abroad, he felt so tired he could hardly walk. When he came back, the tests ordered by his physician found his hemoglobin was extremely low – and the white cells count extremely high. He was diagnosed with MDS (Myelodysplastic syndrome), a bone marrow stem cell disorder which may transform in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).

Mr. S.T. was referred to the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Unit of the Hadassah Medical Center for bone marrow transplant. An anonymous donor was found, compatible with Mr. S.T.,and the procedure was scheduled.

Mr. S.T. told us:

“I was hospitalized for some 3 weeks waiting for the donor and then underwent chemotherapy to eliminate AML and the affected bone marrow cells. The procedure used by Dr. Michael Y. Shapira and Prof. Slavin, required a partial elimination of the patient’s bone marrow cells, which is less risky for the patient. At the same time, the donor was prepared to increase the number of stem cells. And then we went to face the enemy!”

After the transplant Mr. ST developed a chronic GVHD (Graft vs. Host disease), which stems from the reaction between the transplanted cells (graft) and the host cells. This syndrome is usually a positive sign, as it shows the transplant is “working”. In Mr. S.T. case, the GVHD was more intense, and he has been dealing with it for the last 2 years. Since then he reduced his weight to a healthy 90 Kg. and resumed his active life.

Mr. S.T. added: “Even with all the inconvenients of GVHD, if I wouldn’t had the transplant, I would not have been here for sure. I want to thank the donor, the Drs. of the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Unit of the Hadassah Medical Center for the gift of life they gave me.”