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In celebration of life

She's a survivor! Victoria was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia in 2009, a bone marrow failure disease, and underwent a blood stem cell bone marrow transplant on November 30, 2009. On December 16, 2009, her white blood cell count rose from zero to 200, which indicated that the stem cell transplant had likely taken hold. On December 26, 2009, she was released from the hospital to begin recovery at a hospital apartment within a block of the bone marrow transplant (BMT) unit. She was scheduled to return home on March 10th, but was released to go home two weeks early on February 24th because her blood levels were outstanding. On day 68, she developed Graph-versus-Host Disease (GVHD) for which she began Photopheresis Treatment on March 2, 2010. On day 93, she was diagnosed with having the Respiratory Synctial Virus (RSV), and was readmitted to the hospital on March 3, 2010 for treatment. She's doing well!

What is Aplastic Anemia?

Aplastic Anemia is a very rare life-threatening disease in which the bone marrow ceases to produce blood cells (red, white, platelet). Aplastic Anemia is diagnosed in about 10,000-20,000 people in the world each year. Comparatively, an estimated 245,225 people in the United States alone are diagnosed with Leukemia each year.

Aplastic Anemia and Leukemia have some commonalties. both are blood and bone marrow failure deases, and both can go into remission and relapse. Leukemia is malignant (cancerous); Aplastic Anemia is not malignant. Leukemia usually presents with a proliferation of white blood cells; Aplastic Anemia presents with declining blood cells, usually red cells first although not always. Very Severe Aplastic Anemia presents with very, very low blood cell counts.

The severity of Aplastic Anemia is categorized as: mild, severe or very severe, depending upon the downward trajectory of the patient's blood levels. While mild cases have been known to correct themselves, very severe cases will result in death in a very short time period without proper and effective treatment.

Bone Marrow Transplant

Many medical factors must be considered to develop the proper treatment plan. In cases in which the patient is young and otherwise healthy, bone marrow transplants are often highly recommended.

Bone Marrow Donor

Finding a suitable donor is often difficult. Siblings have a 25% chance of matching. A male sibling is the ideal donor because a male brother's marrow is less likely to result in the recipient rejecting the donated marrow or developing "graph-versus-host" disease. Graph-versus-host disease can range from mild GVHD to very severe GVHD resulting in debilitation, and in some fewer cases can be fatal.

Miracles Abound

Aplastic Anemia Instead of Alternatives

Victoria's first miracle was her diagnosis. From all accounts, the medical experts expected to find Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myelodisplasic Anemia or PNH - all forms of cancer - when they performed the first of several bone marrow biopsies during her diagnostic tests, but they didn't. In fact, there were no signs of any leukemic cells to their and our surprise and relief.

As Victoria's doctor stated, "If one were forced to chose their blood disease, Aplastic Anemia would be it, because it can be cured with a bone marrow transplant."

Both Siblings Bone Marrow Donors

The second miracle came after the diagnosis during the HLA testing. Victoria was blessed with matching both of her siblings.

We thank Victoria's brother and sister for their selfless immediate offers to be her donor. Our prayers were answered.

Donor Exams See Stellar Results

Once her donor was identified, both the patient and the donor underwent intensive exams to ensure that their organs were healthy, immune systems in tact, and that they had no other medical conditions that would prevent a successful transplant.

Victoria's brother passed his physical with flying colors. Every organ, bone-density, and his respiratory system were checked and double-checked. Victoria passed her physical, but for the Aplastic Anemia.

Chemotherapy Scheduled

As soon as the donor was matched, Victoria was scheduled for a bone marrow transplant. She was hospitalized 6 days prior to the transplant. During those days, she underwent intensive chemotherapy and ATG treatment to completely destroy her immune system and all remaining blood cells and bone marrow, and prevent and treat acute rejection.

While full-body radiation (total body irradiation) is typical in the treatment regime for Aplastic Anemia, it is not required when the donor is biologically related to the recipient. Irradiation is used when the donor and recipient are unrelated, or the patient has cancer; Aplastic Anemia is not cancer.

bone marrow Aspiration and Transplant

On the 7th day, let there be life!

On the seventh day, Victoria's brother, her donor, went into surgery, was placed under full anesthesia, and received approximately 25 needle-sized extraction holes in each hip through which his marrow was aspirated into a bag.

Thank you, Nick!!

The bone marrow was then filtered to remove bone fragments, and spun down to remove all cells but the blood stem cells. The blood stem cells were then immediately injected into Victoria.

As is typically the case with geographically-close donors, the stem cells were not frozen, and the transplant itself occurred just as any other blood transfusion.

blood stem cell growth

The transplanted blood stem cells were injected into Victoria's bloodstream, and the 3-4 week much anticipated wait began for them to make their way to her bone marrow, seat themselves and begin producing sufficient and continuous quantities blood cells to sustain her life.

On December 16, 2009, 16 days post-transplant, Victoria's white blood cell count rose from zero to 200.

She was hospitalized for 32 days.

about victoria frank

Victoria is "mom" to two beautiful children: Max (2 years old), and Hunter (10 months old), who are the apples of her eyes and the gems of her heart. She resides in Neenah, Wisconsin. For many years since her childhood, she has been a strong supporter of raising funds for Multiple Sclerosis, Leukemia, Alzheimer's and child birth defects.

She will undergo treatment & monitoring for approximately 12-18 months before being able to return to work.

Cards and notes of encouragement can be sent to:

Victoria Frank
c/o In Celebration of Life
Post Office Box 68
Neenah, WI 54957