Patient Testimonial - Paul Shuman

My doctor told me that – although my lymphoma was responding to the current chemotherapy – it was only a short-term solution, because the lymphoma would return in a fiercer form soon after I finished my series of chemo treatments. I was asked to consider the possibility of a stem cell transplant, which, if successful, could extend my expected lifespan by 40 to 60 percent. To add to the impact of my doctor's pronouncement, he added the afterthought that – if I qualified – I would be the oldest person to undergo this procedure at Lahey Clinic.

The next step was mine. I proceeded to seek out as much information as I could possibly find about this procedure. The information was, at times, difficult to interpret and controversial, especially in conversations with those who had gone through this very same procedure.

What were my options? I could continue with my present chemo treatments but expect a quick return of my cancer, or else I could agree to this relatively new radical procedure that would not only extend my life, but also improve my quality of life. I needed the full support of my family. With time and knowledge, they agreed that this [stem cell transplant] was the only course of action, but only after a meeting with the transplant team at Lahey, including doctors, nurses, social service people, financial representatives and others.

My acceptance to the program would depend only on my ability to qualify. The testing of my bodily functions was intense and included an EKG, echocardiograms, pulmonary exploration, and a series of cat scans and MRIs. I passed each of these tests and was then approved by the hospital, and quite importantly, my insurance carrier. (The expense of this procedure was estimated to be between $100,000 and $200,000.) I was now on my way to a 'breakthrough' procedure for a man soon to record his 80th birthday...

What followed was a series of intense outpatient treatments that was intended to prepare me for my hospitalization, four weeks beforehand. These visits included receiving heavy doses of chemotherapy – enough to tide me over until my hospital stay – and the fertilization and removal of healthy stem cells from my bone marrow. The removed cells were immediately frozen so they could be reinserted during my hospitalization, four weeks later. Very frankly, this process left me feeling like a cornfield, with all the fertilizing or harvesting taking place.

On the morning I was to report to Lahey for my hospitalization, my mind was racing in a multitude of directions. Could Selma handle all the details during my four-week stay? I was beside myself. Then I thought about my wonderful children, and I knew I could count on them. I felt better...

Arriving at the admissions desk, we were quickly escorted to my room on the very top floor of the hospital, in an area specially set aside for stem cell transplant patients-very isolated and containing an aura of 'super sterility'. Following discussions with doctors, nurses and other functionaries of the hospital, my treatment was about to begin. Bags of [chemotherapy] chemicals were hung in a row from metal poles, staring ominously at me as they fed their fluids into my system, as they would for the next 24 days. The procedure had begun. The isolation was total.

My visitations were restricted to immediate family, and no one was allowed to enter my room without washing their hands and wearing a mask, including doctors. The process was so complete I had trouble remembering what my wife looked like...

I was subjected to five continuous days of chemotherapy treatment of such a powerful nature the body could not possibly withstand unless closely monitored around the clock. My life functions were reduced to a zero level and maintained by the intravenous intake of food and medications, as well as 24-hour supervision. Following chemotherapy, the healthy, frozen stem cells were reinserted back into my bone marrow to regenerate the existing cell system, and what followed was a 21-day convalescent period of recovery. Obviously, the possible side effects and complications are too numerous to mention...

The discharge from the hospital is a glorious day – though the body is not quite ready for it. The recovery is slow and painful. Lack of energy is the biggest problem. The absence of an appetite, mouth cankers, bodily dysfunctions and nausea are but a few of the other discomforts. However, weighing all these pros and cons against the overall objective of the entire procedure makes it easy for me to see that it has all been worth it...I have my life back!

I have now passed through my home recovery period and am again an active part of the living world! The stem cell transplant procedure not only saved my life, but also has earned my greatest respect for the medical profession in general, and the Lahey Clinic in particular.”

~Paul Shuman, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patient, speaking about the successful autologous stem cell transplant he underwent at Lahey in 2002. The above was part of a presentation Shuman delivered to his peers at Boston College's Institute for Learning in Retirement.