By Karla Sullivan
As a result of National Blood Donor month in January following up an article on cord blood donations. Manhattan Illinois resident, Nathan Piekutowski, was diagnosed last year on Christmas Day with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. After four rounds of intensive chemo therapy and numerous infections, he underwent a cord blood transplant at Loyola Hospital in Chicago last month.
If a bone marrow match can’t be found and the patients condition is becoming progressively worse, cord blood could be the answer. It doesn’t have to be as closely matched to the patient as a marrow donor. Cord blood units are stored and ready to use right away. A bone marrow match was not available for Nate.
On January 25th, Nate received his cord blood transplant. After all the drama of radiation, chemo and prep tests, it was a small bag of blood that took less than 30 minutes to infuse. The next day Nate received Cellerant cells (part of the clinical trial). These were supposed to help his recovery time. At this point, we watch for the cells to engraft and do what they are supposed to do which is give Nate a new blood supply and immune system.
After transplant, his mother, Dawn reports “that Nate had a tough time holding much down; a big accomplishment was eating a grape popsicle. There are a lot of new medication to adjust to and still the effects of chemo/radiation. Counts going down – and needed platelets today. Last week, he received 3 bags of platelets and blood. Very tired, but still up and walking a few times a day.”
“Not sure on any plans for going home yet – best guess is another 2 weeks. Before that, lots of preparations at home. There are a lot of precautions and basically isolation. No fast food, and we have a book of do’s and don’ts for preparing meals and clean up,” she said.
On February 2nd, Nate was moved to a new room and visitors only needed to wash hands. His biggest complaint is the fatigue and all of the medicines. Nate probably takes 20 plus pills and IV medication right now. As the weeks/months pass, they will reduce the antibiotics, antiviral, antifungal and antirejection medications to name just a few.
And this week the family met with the doctor and Nate’s blood counts are headed in the right direction which indicates the first signs of engraftment. Even better, Nate may be able to go home next week.
US Department of Human Services encourages us to help save lives through blood donation.” While many already qualify as regular blood donors, so many more can contribute. We seek more everyday heroes whose gift of blood donation can allow others to raise their quality of life”.
Several insurance companies have partnered in blood donation with the American Red Cross like Northwestern Mutual Foundation who supports people through unexpected life circumstances like Nate.
And what about Nathan Piekutowski? Because of your donation and support, he has been given a new journey that promises a future; nothing less. Your support and donation has transformed his family and friends belief in love. Your support and donation has developed a stronger, passionate young man.
As Calvin Coolidge once said, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world if full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
Nathan’s story is just the beginning.
You may visit Nate at CaringBridge.Org.
