I am back for heading team Laps for Lab Mullally for our fourth consecutive year!! If you don’t know my story yet, take a peak below:
My Story
In 2016 I was diagnosed with Essential Thrombocythemia (ET), a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), also known as a chronic blood cancer that overproduces platelets in the blood. Once diagnosed I began being followed at Dana Farber.
The first few years my platelet count was controlled with just a baby aspirin each night and semi-annual bloodwork to monitor my platelet count. In June 2020 during a routine blood draw my platelet count was at an all-time high of around 2 million ("normal" is under 450k). It was at this point my treatment journey began and I started being followed by Dr. Mullally. In addition to providing patient care, Dr. Mullally heads a research lab at Dana Farber/Brigham and Women's. The overarching goal of the research in her laboratory is to advance the understanding of the biology of MPN and to translate this into improved treatment options for patients dealing with these diseases.
Once introduced to Dr. Mullally, I had a bone marrow biopsy to fully confirm my diagnosis of ET. From there, I began taking hydroxyurea (a low dose form of chemotherapy taken by mouth daily). I added Interferon into the mix shortly thereafter to help bring down my platelet count. The risks associated with a high platelet count include blood clotting and/or bleeding, heart attack, and stroke to name a few. Once my platelet count was in a healthier range, I transitioned to just taking Interferon for treatment. Interferon is a medication I give myself via injection bi-weekly. The side effects cause me to feel flu-like symptoms for a 24-hour period following the injection - wiping out a third of my week both mentally and physically.
Updates From This Past Year
Not a whole lot has changed this past year from a health standpoint. The cadence at which I take this potent medication has remained the same, with new side effects surfacing as time goes on. If I’ve learned anything it’s that my treatment plan will never be linear. Although most days I wish there were a solid plan or better yet a cure, the fact is that I have to embrace the treatment changes and accept that this is truly a chronic/long-term diagnosis.
Clinical trials have begun to launch at Dana Farber for less severe treatment options, Although I am not yet eligible, hope is on the horizon! It is for that reason that I am back running Falmouth this year! My hope for a cure has not yet diminished but instead only become stronger. After raising over 60k over the past three years for Dr. Mullally’s Lab I am truly hopeful that I will see a better, less miserable treatment option in my lifetime.
Thank you all for your support from the bottom of my heart!!
