How a stem cell transplant changed the life — and blood — of a leukemia patient

When Laura Tiberi began feeling unusually tired in 2020, she attributed it to the isolation felt throughout the world during the COVID 19 pandemic. She soon found out that she was actually beginning a life-changing cancer journey.

I was fatigued, but I thought I was just “COVID tired” because, you know, it was a long, horrible year. Then I started feeling a nagging pain in my right side, so I went to my primary care doctor.

She said my scans were great, but I had some wonky blood numbers, so she wanted me to repeat the lab. I said I’d stop by the next day, but she said she wanted me to go to the ER that night.

I had a CAT scan, and the nurse said she wanted me to stay for a hematology consultation. I asked if she was saying that I needed an oncologist, and she said she was. I told her that I wanted to go to The James (The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute).

At The James, Tiberi was told she had chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) a rare blood cancer. Her diagnosis came a week before Thanksgiving.

The doctor told me I should go home to have Thanksgiving. My head was spinning. The learning curve was huge.

I was immunocompromised, so masking and social distancing were important. It was during COVID, so everybody was masking, but it was clear that we weren't going to have a big family Thanksgiving.

In January, I met with Dr. Hannah Choe, who went over the details of CMML. We decided that the best course of action was a stem cell transplant, which was scheduled for February.

That whole month was filled with a lot of family things — including a big family picture — because we just didn’t know what was going to happen.

My granddaughter, Cecilia, was born right before my transplant was scheduled, so I was able to quickly meet her before I was admitted.

Tiberi’s first transplant was ultimately unsuccessful, but she was soon matched with a new donor, a young man from Germany.

When he was around 26, there was a young girl in his town that needed a stem cell transplant, and he swabbed. He wasn't a match for her, but 10 years later he got a call that he was a possible match for me. I’m very fortunate and grateful that he said he was still willing to donate his stem cells.

So once again, I moved in on the 14th floor of The James. The care team there became my family and helped keep me alive during my transplant. It was lonely in a way, but it also wasn’t because I had a routine and people with me, helping me every day. It was like going down to the very end of the wire and then having the opportunity to come back.

Tiberi’s second transplant was a success, helping her stay cancer free for three years and counting.

I have remained in remission and my blood type has now changed to my donor’s blood type.

The icing on that cake is that he and I started corresponding and he came to our family Thanksgiving this year. We took a tour of The James and had a wonderful time getting to know each other.

November 29 was his donation day, so he was here for the three-year anniversary. What a modern medical miracle it is that I could get blood from somebody in Germany, and they could bring it here and put the stem cells into me and I became like him on the inside.

While one of Tiberi’s grandchildren were born right before her first transplant, prior to her second procedure, her youngest daughter told her that another baby was due in August 2022.

One of our goals was that I would make it through isolation and grow stronger so that I could go to Scottsdale, AZ to be there when that grandchild was born.

I still couldn't fly because it was too germy, so my husband and I drove to Phoenix with the doctor's permission, and I got blood draws every week when I was there. We rented a house on the same street as my daughter and her husband, and we were there when the baby was born.

Each December 13, Tiberi celebrates the anniversary of her successful transplant by visiting The James to share joy and inspiration with patients and care team members.

December 13th is a big day for me. It’s called a rebirthday for those who have stem cell transplants. From the very first December 13, I come back because I know what it's like to be isolated as a cancer patient during the holidays. The people who are here at that time, many of them were here for Thanksgiving, or maybe they just came in and they're going to be here for Christmas.

I like to leave them a gift and an anonymous note that that says “Dear patient, today I'm celebrating my third rebirth day after a stem cell transplant and treatment for CMML here at The James. I wanted to celebrate the anniversary of my second chance at life by sharing a little holiday goodie bag with you today. Just so you know, there's someone thinking about you who has been where you are. However you celebrate the joys of the season, my wish for you is comfort, peace and healing. — Laura, transplant date December 13, 2021.”

I got a little goodie bag and an anonymous note when I was in the hospital. It feels like a hug. Like, wow, there's somebody out here who's been through this and they're alive.

During her annual visit, Tiberi also meets with members of The James transplant team to share her gratitude for their care and partnership during her cancer journey.

I can't say enough about the team on the transplant floor. To be a physician or nurse that chooses this line of work is just remarkably special. So, on December 13, I also like to share a little something with that team that shows how important they are and that I'm glad to see them and happy that they’re still there helping.

I'm so aware of how lucky we are to live in Columbus near The James. The medical team, the research and the people behind it, the ethos of this place, the spirit of The James —

I love this place and I'm very grateful.

Laura Tiberi is a leukemia survivor, stem cell transplant recipient, grandmother of five and advocate for cancer and transplant patients.