JUNE 17, 2025
In mid-May, Tim had a routine physical, and when the lab results came in, his blood counts were out of the normal range. Both his white and red blood counts were significantly low. Kaiser called late that night to tell him and to schedule further lab work and appointments. He saw a hematologist (blood specialist) who scheduled a hip bone marrow biopsy later that day.
June 17th, his hematologist called with the jarring news that he in fact has leukemia. More specifically, he has acute myeloid leukemia and likely MCD (myelodysplastic syndrome). The doctor laid out a treatment plan beginning with a week of intense hospitalized chemotherapy, followed with approximately 2 more weeks of hospitalization to be monitored and kept away from extra germs while he recovers his immune system.
The current conditions of his bone marrow require a bone marrow transplant after the chemo and recovery time. They will check to see if one of us siblings is a match for his bone marrow, and if not, then City of Hope has a pool of bone marrow donors.
Currently the plan is to begin chemo on Monday at Kaiser in Baldwin Hills, and after around 3 weeks there, to have a bone marrow transplant at City of Hope.
Tim is getting his work details ironed out before beginning this long round of treatment. He is feeling the grief that comes from this diagnosis but is strong and surrounded by people who love him!
