Blood cancer is not a death sentence: that was the message behind the blood collection and patient day at the hematology department of Netcare Olivedale hospital. On Thursday, the hematology department celebrated their survivors to raise awareness about blood cancer and bone marrow transplants. The three main types of blood and bone marrow cancers are leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. A remedial therapist, Pieter le Roux, said the ward had a patient care facility where they offered counseling and therapy not only for the patients but also for their families. The SA bone marrow registry was present to…
Blood cancer is not a death sentence: that was the message behind the blood collection and patient day at the hematology department of Netcare Olivedale hospital.
On Thursday, the hematology department celebrated their survivors to raise awareness about blood cancer and bone marrow transplants.
The three main types of blood and bone marrow cancers are leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. A remedial therapist, Pieter le Roux, said the ward had a patient care facility where they offered counseling and therapy not only for the patients but also for their families.
The SA bone marrow registry was present to register donors. “There are so many myths around donating bone marrow,” Le Roux said.
“Basically, on the day of harvest, the donor’s blood is circulated through a system that splits the stem cells from the blood and returns the donor’s blood.”
ALSO READ: Everyday should be World Cancer Day
Le Roux said it looked nothing like a bone marrow extraction procedure.
“It’s a very tough job, but it’s very satisfying. When people get the bad news it feels like a death sentence, but we help patients see that there is hope.”
Martin van der Westhuizen was diagnosed with leukemia in 2020 when he suddenly developed a painful spot. Initially, a specialist thought that Van der Westhuizen had gout or rheumatism. After suffering a blood clot in his lung, he was sent for tests that led to his diagnosis.
“They told me I had two options, either three months to live or chemo and a bone marrow transplant.”
Van der Westhuizen was lucky enough to have two matches, one local and one from Germany.
“In October 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, I had the transplant.
“I was alone in the hospital and there were days when I didn’t know if I would make it through the day,” he said.
He underwent about four chemotherapy sessions before achieving remission. His wife Jolinda said it has been a year and five months since the transplant and “every day is a blessing”.
She said the first 100 days after the transplant was the biggest milestone.
“The recovery after the first 100 was crucial. But we also celebrated the first year of remission and his first birthday.”
ALSO READ: World Cancer Day: SA launches ‘world first’ screening test. Are you covered?
Jolinda said that although they were initially shocked, she never had any doubts that her husband would recover.
“Without faith, we would never have survived this.”
The couple urged the public to donate blood and sign up to donate bone marrow as it could mean the difference between life and death. Chief clinical hematologist Dr. Karen Gunter said the difficult part of her job was the entire journey with the patient.
“It was also the blessing, not just when they are healed. It’s a special job to have,” she said.
Gunter, who has worked in hematology for 15 years, said her job still moved her to tears.
“You can always make a difference to someone, not just by healing, but also by caring,” Gunter said.
† [email protected] Vanir-exodus.co.za