Mel Keogh Conquering AMLWarrior

Back in December 2015 went for a physical at Dorn VA Medical Center. After getting blood drawn was contacted on my cell phone asking how I was feeling. Told them felt fine and they informed me they did not like the results showing up in the blood results. A little while later the doctor showed up stating they wanted to do another draw of blood to recheck the results. After eating breakfast was heading to lab when doctor intercepted me and my son to take us directly to her office. Said things were bad enough to have to admit me immediately. From what they could tell it was a form of Leukemia but not certain which type without further testing. Next day had bone marrow biopsy in order to get a picture of what was happening within my body. Two days later got preliminary results which indicated AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) stage 6. Stage 6 is treatable but not cannot be cured. The only way to give me a longer life is through a stem cell transplant.

Was transferred to MUSC in Charleston, South Carolina to begin the Initial Chemo treatment to kill off the bad cells in my body. Stayed there 5 1/2 weeks and walked out cancer free😃 Had follow up chemo treatment February to April to keep the cancer at bay.

Next step in the process is to have a bone marrow transplant. This will be done using stem cells from a donor. Both my sisters were tested to see if they were a match. Unfortunately they were not. The national and global bone marrow donor registry was searched. Seventeen (17) potential donors were identified. By the Grace of God one of them is a ten for ten match.

Will be heading to the VA Medical Center in Nashville, TN for the Stem Cell transplant.

Had the stem cell transplant on October 7th. Now on the 100

Day count down before I can go back home. So far things are going according to what the Doctor is looking for at this point.