Ed Dupree

Welcome to our CaringBridge website for "Coach" Ed Dupree.  Many of you know that Ed has had MDS for about 7 years.  Myelodysplastic
 syndromes (MDS) are conditions that can occur when the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow are damaged. This damage leads to low numbers of one or more type of blood cells. MDS is considered a type of cancer and in some cases it can eventually turn into a form of leukemia.  Up until about 2 months ago, this has only been a minor inconvenience .  Over the past seven years he only required blood transfusions from time to time and took outpatient chemotherapy treatments in Salisbury.  He was able to continue to run everyday, play golf, and do all the things he truly enjoys.


About eight weeks ago, Ed had a severe hamstring injury that landed him in Novant in Salisbury for 11 days.  A tear in his hamstring caused significant bleeding into his upper leg, resulting in a very painful hematoma.  While in the hospital in Salisbury, his oncology doctor ran some tests and the results showed his MDS had turned into AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia).  


After this diagnosis, Ed saw a specialist in Hematology at Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center.  The specialist wanted Ed to try a new treatment of two different chemo drugs used together approved in August for patients with AML over the age of 60.  He entered Baptist CCC to undergo this new treatment about 6 weeks ago.   The first bone marrow biopsy showed the  treatment was unsuccessful in putting the leukemia into remission.  Ed tried a second  treatment of two different chemo drugs for leukemia - much stronger this time.  We just received results of the second bone marrow biopsy this week from that treatment.  It was also not successful in completely putting the leukemia into remission. 

At this time he is extremely weak and wiped out from the after effects of the chemo.  Please keep him in your prayers and hope that he can regain his health and strength in order to get out of the hospital and go home.  He wants to be able to go home to enjoy his remaining time with his friends and family.  

We appreciate your support, prayers and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.