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Floyd woman getting stem cell transplant today
Wanda Combs
The Floyd Press
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Donna Marshall will begin receiving a stem cell transplant today at Duke. The donor will be her sister, Pauline Horton.
A young wife and mother, Donna has a rare blood disorder, Light Chain Disposition Disease. The disease causes excessive antibody production and usually affects only older people. Donna was told that she got the disease from pesticide through her skin. The doctor told her crop dusting was a possible source, but Donna explained she didn’t live near any crop dusting operations.
Last year doctors discovered her kidneys were shutting down, and she had to have a transplant. Since Donna is part of a close-knit family, it was probably not a surprise to most when all of her four siblings willingly stepped forward for testing. Three out of four were exact matches, and personnel at the University of Virginia marveled at those results. Brother Paul Hill, sisters Deborah DeJesus and Pauline Horton of Hillsville, and twin brother David Hill were tested. David had been taking allergy medicine, which affected his liver.
The doctors then had to decide which of the siblings would be the most suitable match. Pauline said she prayed it would be her. When the decision came, Pauline was more than willing. “I was real excited about being able to do it. I consider it a blessing of a lifetime.”
The transplant took place at the UVA hospital on June 8, 2006. Pauline’s procedure was laparoscopic with a small incision. “They glued me back,” she said. Donna’s diseased kidney was not removed. They placed her sister’s donated kidney in front.
Donna is so appreciative of her sister’s gift. In an interview last year, she pointed out, “Some people wait on cadaver kidneys for years….She (Pauline) gave me my life back. That’s a sacrifice.”
Donna, who had a stem cell transplant before she got her new kidney, was also told she needed another stem cell transplant recently. Pauline was determined to be the perfect donor. An attempt to give the stem cells to Donna four weeks ago failed. Donna’s body rejected the cells. But, Donna said Monday, “we’re hoping it will work this time. They will be trying some different things.”
Donna went to Duke last Friday. Her sister was to arrive yesterday. Prior to going to the hospital Pauline has been giving herself shots to build up her stem cell count. Donna has been undergoing chemotherapy in preparation for the transplant, given intraveneously.
On Wednesday doctors were to begin retrieving Pauline’s stem cells. Donna is to receive the first of those stem cells today. Doctors will continue to retrieve as many of Pauline’s stem cells as possible for transplanting for Donna.
After the transplant Donna will have to stay near Duke for three months. She will get a room at Caring House or rent an apartment nearby. Since she must have a caregiver at all times, different family members or friends will stay with her. Harvey, her husband, will stay for six weeks.
Donna’s church, Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren, hosted a benefit dinner to help with the family’s expenses. “The church and community have been very supportive,” Donna said.
The Marshalls, who will be celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary this year, have a daughter, Rhonda Curtis, and a son, Brandon, who is a junior in high school.
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