Matt's Transplant 2017
Donation protected
Matt Walen, 50, is fighting cancer for the third time and will undergo a stem cell transplant late April in Aurora, Colo., at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The transplant will require a 30-day stay at the hospital, followed by a 70-day stay in a Denver-area apartment near the cancer center.
Matt was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) in November 2016 at the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Regional Cancer Center and has been battling the cancer with Vidaza, a chemotherapy drug that has been slowing the cancer's growth.
Matt was first diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in September 2009. The chemotherapy for treating the lymphoma was six rounds of R-CHOPS. The chemo was administered at the Billings (Mont.) Clinic Cancer Center's infusion floor. Matt continued to work at The Billings Gazette during the treatment and only missed a few days of work during the treatment.
Matt was in remission until a second diagnoses of lymphoma in November 2012. A more aggressive treatment plan included doses of RICE, which required hospital stays for less than a week. The cancer and treatments depleted Matt's platelets and red blood cells, leaving him fatigued and very weak.
The Billings Clinic oncology team determined that the best plan was to do a stem cell transplant in 2013. The team monitored his health and saw improvements that allowed Matt and Milene to journey West to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for his first stem cell transplant. The transplant on Aug. 7-8, 2013, was successful and the couple returned to Billings on Sept. 8, 2013.
Matt's past successes in battling cancer couldn't have happened without the love and support from family and friends. Their prays and encouragement, along with the efforts of the doctors and nurses, helped ease the fight against cancer.
Matt's determination to get healthy has never been slowed by any of the diagnoses of cancer. This latest speed bump in life is a temporary setback and Matt will use 2017 to regain his health and resume the challenges of life.
Forward!
Matt was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) in November 2016 at the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Regional Cancer Center and has been battling the cancer with Vidaza, a chemotherapy drug that has been slowing the cancer's growth.
Matt was first diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in September 2009. The chemotherapy for treating the lymphoma was six rounds of R-CHOPS. The chemo was administered at the Billings (Mont.) Clinic Cancer Center's infusion floor. Matt continued to work at The Billings Gazette during the treatment and only missed a few days of work during the treatment.
Matt was in remission until a second diagnoses of lymphoma in November 2012. A more aggressive treatment plan included doses of RICE, which required hospital stays for less than a week. The cancer and treatments depleted Matt's platelets and red blood cells, leaving him fatigued and very weak.
The Billings Clinic oncology team determined that the best plan was to do a stem cell transplant in 2013. The team monitored his health and saw improvements that allowed Matt and Milene to journey West to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for his first stem cell transplant. The transplant on Aug. 7-8, 2013, was successful and the couple returned to Billings on Sept. 8, 2013.
Matt's past successes in battling cancer couldn't have happened without the love and support from family and friends. Their prays and encouragement, along with the efforts of the doctors and nurses, helped ease the fight against cancer.
Matt's determination to get healthy has never been slowed by any of the diagnoses of cancer. This latest speed bump in life is a temporary setback and Matt will use 2017 to regain his health and resume the challenges of life.
Forward!
Organizer
Milene Morlan Walen
Organizer
Cheyenne, WY
