First post:
May 28, 2018 Latest post:
Oct 18, 2018
In June of 2011 Melanie Hunter was diagnosed with Leukemia. For over seven years she was treated with a daily regiment of oral chemo. Her treatment plan never completely controlled the growth of her cancer. The side affects of the oral chemo left her with no quality of life. The University of Kansas Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic has cared for Melanie since her diagnosis. Having prescribed four of the five oral chemo treatments current available, her doctors at KU recommended she visit MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. to discuss the need for a bone marrow transplant.
On May 23rd of 2018 Melanie Hunter temporarily moved to Houston to enter a five month treatment plan and undergo a bone marrow transplant. Her two brothers were tested as potential donors; however, neither were a match. MD Anderson did find a perfect match in the world-wide registry. The donor is female and from another country. At this point this is all we know about Melanie's donor. The donor's bone marrow will be harvested and personally delivered by a medical courier within hours of Melanie's scheduled transplant. Melanie's transplant is scheduled for June 13th. She will undergo massive chemo treatments to completely kill her immune system prior to the transplant. She will be in isolation for 30 days at MD Anderson. Upon discharge, Melanie will live in Houston at an apartment near the hospital for four months. During these four months she will require assistance from caregivers 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. Family and friends have lovingly volunteered to care for Melanie during her outpatient treatment.
MD Anderson is known world-wide for it's reputation of being the best in treating cancer such as Melanie's. We know Melanie has support in the way of thoughts and prayers from family and friends. Melanie remains grounded in her faith that God will watch over and guide her doctors every step of the way.
Melanie Hunter is an amazing woman; caring friend; loving wife; mother of three; step-mother of two; and grandmother of three. These are the titles that best define who Melanie truly is. Fighting leukemia is what Melanie has done for seven years; not who she is. However, in the months to come, with confidence for success, Melanie will be completely cured of her cancer. Then we can add one more title that truly defines her; Cancer Free.
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