Dan’s Bone Marrow Transplant: A Story Of Strength, Support And Survival

At 70 years old, Dan Williams was no stranger to life's challenges. A retired educator and student mentor, Dan spent more than 30 years shaping young minds before continuing his career for another 13 years at Western Governors University. Dan's life was full. But in the summer of 2022, everything changed. His faith, determination, and the support of his family and Franciscan Health would soon become the driving forces behind his survival.

A Life-Altering Diagnosis

Dan's journey began in June 2022. The Plainfield, Indiana, man started to feel an overwhelming sense of fatigue. He was concerned. Dan decided to see his family doctor in Danville. After running blood tests, they discovered that Dan's white blood cell count was dangerously low. Without hesitation, a referral to Stephen Eberwine, MD, a hematologist oncologist (cancer doctor), started the process of a bone marrow biopsy.

The results came back quickly, and they were life-altering. Dan was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. With the seriousness of his diagnosis, Dr. Eberwine referred Dan to the experts at Franciscan Health. It was there, with Felix Mensah, MD, hematologist oncologist at Indiana Blood & Marrow Transplantation at Franciscan Health Indianapolis, that Dan's battle against cancer truly began.

A Cancer Battle Begins

Dr. Mensah explained to Dan and his family the urgent need to begin chemotherapy and schedule a bone marrow transplant. Dan's condition was close to changing into leukemia - his marker levels were at 19, and the threshold for leukemia was 20. He started chemotherapy immediately.

However, Dan's treatment was far from straightforward. He was hospitalized three times between August 2022 and his bone marrow transplant on Feb. 15, 2023, due to reactions to the chemotherapy. These hospital stays were tough, with one lasting as long as 12 days, another for seven, and the last for five days. Despite these setbacks, the dedicated care from the Franciscan team helped Dan stay on course toward his ultimate goal: a successful bone marrow transplant.

A Partnership And The Search For A Donor

Finding a compatible donor is one of the biggest challenges for any bone marrow transplant patient. The Franciscan team began searching their extensive database. Dan was fortunate: a 30-year-old male from Delaware was a match. Dan quickly points out that his outcome would have been very different without this donor.

"I want to give a shout-out to all the donors across the country," Dan said. "There is a shortage of bone marrow donors, and for many, this is the only way to survive bone marrow cancer. There's a lot of people that cannot have a bone marrow transplant because they don't have a donor."

His wife Joan was his backbone and strength. "Throughout my journey, Joan became my unwavering partner," said Dan. "She handled my complex medication schedule, took me to all my appointments and supported me unconditionally and emotionally."

At one point in his treatment, Dan was taking up to 50 pills a day, a task he said he couldn't have managed alone. "It's important for anyone going through this procedure to have a partner," Dan said. "You need someone by your side."

"I had a lot of people praying for me, and I could feel their prayers," Dan said. In addition to his faith, his family was his greatest source of motivation. Dan and Joan have three sons, two of whom live in Columbus, Ohio, and the third in Nashville, Tenn. They also have four grandchildren who mean the world to him. "I had a lot of reasons to fight," Dan said.

Dan's Physical And Mental Strength

Before and after Dan's bone marrow transplant, the physical toll was huge.

"You need to prepare for surgery - both physically and mentally," said Dan. "My physical therapist, Macy, was critical to my health."

"She was able to prepare me for the grueling post-transplant process and through the recovery," Dan said. "It knocks you down."

Macy's guidance, combined with the support of the mental health professionals at Franciscan Health, helped Dan rebuild his strength and find the courage to face each new day.

"She brought me out of my shell," Dan said. "It's an intensive procedure, and you need the right physical and mental preparation."

The journey through bone marrow cancer is not just a physical one; it requires emotional resilience. Dan said, "It's not an easy procedure." "You need a support system - physical, mental and emotional - to get through it."

The Franciscan Health Difference

Dan received care from a team of skilled and compassionate caregivers throughout his treatment in the bone marrow transplant program at Franciscan Health Indianapolis.

"I can't say enough about my care team's expertise, professionalism and kindness," he said.

Dr. Mensah and Dr. Eberwine were critical to his care, as were Anand Tandra, MD and Luke Akard, MD.

"Each always made sure I was informed and involved in every decision," Dan said. "The nursing staff, particularly those on the fourth floor dedicated to bone marrow patients, made a lasting impact on me and my family with their commitment and expertise."

Dan reflected on the care provided by the nurses.

"There are so many and each one focuses on patient-centered care, making sure you are the priority," he said.

Dan wishes he could remember the names of each nurse who cared for him in the hospital. He fondly remembers Sarah and Hannah, two nurses who always made him feel better.

"All the nurses, both inpatient and outpatient, know what they're doing, and they care about people," Dan said. He added that the BMT clinic nurses have been extremely influential in his recovery, including Claire and many others.

Franciscan Health's bone marrow transplant team works as a unit. It's not just one doctor but a group of professionals reviewing charts and making collaborative decisions. Their state-of-the-art facility and advanced treatments made Franciscan Health the right choice for Dan.

"Very few medical centers in the country do bone marrow transplants," he said. "We considered others but chose Franciscan, and I'd recommend them to anyone."

A Message Of Hope And Gratitude

Dan's message to anyone facing a bone marrow transplant is simple: you can't do it alone. Whether it's a spouse, a family member or a friend, you need a support system to help you through the most challenging days. His gratitude for his medical team at Franciscan is immense, from the expert physicians to the attentive nursing staff and physical therapists.

Today, as a bone marrow transplant survivor, Dan is thankful for the advanced care he received at Franciscan and the unwavering support of his family. "Franciscan Health is at the cutting edge of care," he said. "They know what they're doing and are there for you every step of the way."

If you or a loved one faces a cancer diagnosis, learn how the cancer center team at Franciscan Health can make a difference.