Cancerwise

Until last August, I was only an occasional blood donor. If the opportunity arose and it was convenient, then I’d do it. But I never really set out to give blood. It was just something I did off and on starting in high school.

Then, in January 2013, my wife, Ever Goodie-Preston, was diagnosed with cancer. And, suddenly, blood donation became very important.

Why my wife needed blood products

My wife was diagnosed with a rare subtype of multiple myeloma called IgM. Her doctors said it was treatable, but not curable. At the time, the recommended protocol was chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant, then maintenance chemotherapy to keep her in remission as long as possible.

Even before Ever’s cancer diagnosis, she was always anemic. Multiple myeloma just further reduced how much blood her body could produce. The chemotherapy required to prepare her for the stem cell transplant wiped out any remaining bone marrow. So, Ever’s body was not making any blood cells for a while.

That meant she needed lots of blood transfusions and other blood products to stay healthy.