Stem Cell Transplant Gives Medical Assistant “Brand-New” Immune System
August 08, 2024
In early 2023, Toni White, 58, of Brick, NJ, began having what she thought were severe migraines. Her symptoms included a sensitivity to light that required her to wear two pairs of sunglasses even while working as a certified medical assistant in a surgical practice at Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s HOPE Tower.
However, when Toni began to experience memory loss and cognitive changes, she knew it was more than migraines. “I had an MRI, and when the results came in, I immediately received a call from my primary care doctor, Shamim J. Saeed, M.D., telling me to go to Jersey Shore,” says Toni. “When I arrived, I was told that I had a brain tumor.”
Advanced Care Closer to Home
Toni’s care team immediately admitted her to the hospital, and the next day, she met with neurosurgeon Nitesh V. Patel, M.D., and neuro-oncologist Shama Farooq, M.D.. Two days later, Dr. Patel performed a biopsy to learn more about Toni’s tumor—the first step in developing a life-saving treatment plan. The biopsy showed that Toni had a primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma—a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma restricted to the brain, spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid and/or eyes. Toni’s tumor measured eight centimeters, the size of a peach.
“We agreed that the best course of action was to start Toni on a course of steroids to help with her symptoms, followed by eight rounds of high-dose chemotherapy,” says Dr. Farooq.
Toni was promptly started on induction chemotherapy, which required hospitalization every two weeks for a total of four months of treatment. Her repeat brain MRI at the end of the induction phase showed a complete response and no evidence of lymphoma.
However, to give Toni the best chance of a lifetime without cancer, she needed to have a stem cell transplant procedure under the care of Michele Donato, M.D., chief of the Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program at John Theurer Cancer Center.
When Toni started receiving chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation was not yet offered at Jersey Shore. But by the time she completed her first round of chemo, Dr. Donato and her team had the stem cell transplantation program up and running. “Toni was so relieved to be able to receive her stem cell transplant close to home, without the need to travel to another hospital,” says Dr. Farooq. “She chose to have her treatment close to her family and under the care of the team she was most comfortable with—and as a member of the Hackensack Meridian Health team herself, she knew she would receive the highest-quality care right here.”
“A stem cell transplant would essentially give Toni a brand-new, healthy immune system. She was an ideal candidate and ended up being the first neuro-oncology patient at Jersey Shore to receive a stem cell transplant—as well as the first patient to receive a transplant to treat CNS lymphoma at our center,” says Dr. Donato. “After collecting Toni’s healthy stem cells, she underwent conditioning chemotherapy to prepare her body for the transplant before her healthy cells were returned to her body.”
On the day of her transplant, Sept. 18, 2023, Toni’s care team celebrated her “new birthday” with balloons, cheers and encouragement, acknowledging the milestone of receiving her new immune system. “I was in the hospital for a month, and it was hard in the beginning—I would just break down,” says Toni. “But my husband George was with me every day, and the nurses, doctors and managers were the best. They were there when my husband wasn’t.”
Achieving Remission after Unexpected Diagnosis
Toni spent several more weeks in the hospital after her transplant, and unfortunately, she experienced a rare, life-threatening complication. “My husband was in my room with me, and suddenly, I just passed out,” says Toni. “George is a former EMT and works in the [operating room]. He immediately alerted the nurses, and they resuscitated me.” After a stay in the cardiac intensive care unit—and thanks to the quick action taken by her husband and her care team—Toni recovered and was soon walking, talking and ready to go home.
After her discharge, Toni was temporarily required to wear a cardiac LifeVest—a personal defibrillator that would deliver an automatic shock if her heart rhythm became abnormal. She had physical therapy at home three days a week to help her regain her strength, balance and confidence. And, she was happily reunited with her loving family and her cherished dogs, who refused to leave her side after her return home. She also celebrated her actual 58th birthday with her family.
Due to her compromised immune system, Toni must still be cautious when attending large gatherings and crowded public places to protect herself from infections. She will have brain MRIs every three months for the first two years, then every six months for three years. She will then have yearly MRIs for five years, for a total of 10 years of follow-up care.
“At Toni’s three-month follow-up, she had no signs of active disease,” says Dr. Farooq. “Her CNS lymphoma is in remission, and we expect that to continue for the rest of her life.”
According to Dr. Donato, Toni’s heart is back to normal, and she no longer needs to wear her LifeVest. “I’m feeling great,” says Toni. “I’m looking forward to driving again, and I’m hoping to go back to work. I also can’t wait to go to the beach.”
After experiencing such an unexpected diagnosis, Toni says the quality of the care she received made her proud to be in the medical field. “I know what it’s like to support patients who are going through a challenging situation, and to receive that same support from the people who cared for me was amazing,” says Toni. “I couldn’t have made it through without my husband, daughter, extended family, co-workers and care team. They gave me a shoulder to cry on and encouragement when I needed it, and that has been a tremendous gift.”
Next Steps & Resources
- Meet our sources: Shama Farooq, M.D and Michele Donato, M.D.
- To make an appointment with a neuro-oncologist near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
- Learn more about neuroscience at Hackensack Meridian Health.
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
