Sherry receives stem cells from a young Swedish donor
A Hoedspruit mother finally received a stem cell transplant from a young donor in Sweden two weeks ago.
Sherry De Boer’s father-in-law, Anthony De Boer told the Herald that the first five days after the transplant is the most critical as they would then know if the transplant has been successful. Sherry has battled Hodgkin’s Lymphoma for the past thirteen years. She has had over 200 bags of chemotherapy, more than 40 sessions of radiation, one failed auto stem cell transplant, and a failed new drug trial.
To prepare for the stem cell transplant, Sherry received radiation treatment until June 1 after which she was admitted to the hospital for intensive daily chemo treatment. The transplant was carried out on June 9, and she is now cared for in intensive care for three weeks. “After a month in the hospital, and if she is well enough, she will be discharged and will have to stay within close proximity of the hospital for at least two months.
During these two months, she will not be well enough to care for herself and so various family members will take turns to take care of her in specially arranged accommodation,” Anthony said. “Sherry is the young mother of my beautiful nine-year-old granddaughter, Kaydon-Rein, and the loving wife of her husband, my son, Neil. “In spite of the many trials and ordeals, Sherry remains the most positive person I know.
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She remains absolutely resolute that she has business to complete on this planet and so has a reason to live,” he said. Although Sherry has comprehensive medical cover which will take care of most of the astronomical costs of the donor stem cell transplant, on May 11, Anthony started a Back-a-Buddy campaign to raise funds to supplement the family’s funds for the transplant.
“The support received has been extremely heartwarming,” he said. “The campaign has achieved just over two-thirds of the target amount. Any contribution makes a huge difference to Neil, Sherry, and Kaydon-Rein as they fight this battle together,” said Anthony.
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