Army Veteran - Doug Smith - Battling Leukemia

Brief Synopsis of Doug and Laurie Smith’s journey:

 

After Doug spent the night of Friday, April 30th, 2021, with pain throughout his body, being feverish with chills and unable to rest, he and his wife Laurie went to the Emergency Room with what they suspected to be the flu or possibly a kidney stone due to the symptoms he was having. On May 1st, 2021, and within a few hours of admission, after a series of blood tests, cultures and CT-scan, Doug was given the diagnosis of leukemia and immediately transported to Hershey Medical Center. Upon arrival to Hershey, Doug was admitted to the 7th floor, “cancer unit.” Once there, the doctors quickly determined Doug was in what they call “tumor lysis syndrome” which was causing his kidneys to shut down at a rapid pace, among other things (one of which were Doug’s platelets [clotting agent in the blood] were low. In a healthy adult, platelet counts can be expected to range between 150 to 400, Doug’s were 2)! He was quickly moved to the Critical Care Unit, there doctors and nurses worked through the night to sustain life so that his body would hopefully start to recover. At most times, Doug was able to answer questions and respond to the nurses and at one point when Laurie tearfully said she was so sorry he was going through this, he replied, “it has to be gone through; if not me, then someone else would be going through it.” Doug spent the next three and half weeks in the hospital undergoing several surgeries, dialysis and tests. Friends and family arranged for a hotel room for Laurie so that she would be nearby.

Over the coming days, Doug’s diagnosis was narrowed down to B-Cell Philadelphia chromosome-positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Ph+ ALL).

 

Doug’s kidneys started to recover after a week of dialysis thankfully, and his oncologist then started talking to them about a stem cell transplant, which would give Doug the greatest chance for remission or possibly a cure. The chances for success are 70% to 80%. There is technically no cure for A L L caused by the Philadelphia chromosome, so Doug will continue to be treated with TKIs (a type of targeted therapy) for the foreseeable future.

 

Through “Be The Match,” a national bone marrow registry, Doug’s transplant team was able to find a 7 out of 8 match; not a perfect match, but his oncologist is quite happy with the result. They have since learned Doug’s donor is a 27-year-old female from La Jolla, CA (Doug’s hometown, San Diego, is nearby…a good sign they believe). She has agreed to donate and will start the process in California. Once her stem cells are harvested, they will be transported to Doug in Hershey for transfusion. Doug is expected to be in the hospital for three to four weeks. It will take three to twelve months for his immune system to recover.

 

Doug and Laurie would like to pass on their sincere thanks for all the prayers and support thus far and ask above everything else for continued prayers, focusing on healing, strength and protection through this difficult time.

 

Purpose of Fund:

 

Their friends and family are looking to alleviate some of their financial hardship during this stressful time. There is uncertainty for them going forward. Unfortunately, Doug has been unable to work since May 1st and will continue to be unable to work for what the doctors have estimated to be at least nine to 12 months more. Because they are back and forth to Hershey several times a week for lab work, transfusions and appointments his wife Laurie has been unable to work a full schedule herself. Unfortunately, there have been some unexpected additional hospital admissions due to unforeseen complications with his prognosis. All of these things will continue to compound throughout Doug’s transplant process.

 

They are not asking for financial help (they never would) their friends and family are doing this for them.

 

Doug and Laurie are kind, caring, people. They have been involved in many fundraisers including Scotty’s Ride, Gettysburg Rocks and countless golf tournaments. They are volunteer members of Fairfield Fire Company and St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Doug served in the Army as Staff Sergeant in Bosnia. Doug has a deep passion for music, his Harley, his Country, friends and family. Above all he has a great love and devotion for his wife Laurie

 

Doug and Laurie want to convey that they are whole-heartedly thankful for each one of you who are wanting to help. They are asking for prayers above all.

This fund is designed to relieve the financial strain that has been put on Doug and Lori due to the leukemia. We want Doug to be able to concentrate 100% on his health and not to worry about anything else. And, of course, they fervently suggest we contact "Be the Match" to join the national marrow registry.

 

Thank you everyone for your prayers and generosity.

 

 

George and MJ Joh

Robert and Mary Kraft

Debbie Jones

Tony and Lori Flickinger