Isla Jones from Chicago Beating the Odds with a Bone Marrow Transplant in India

Isla Jones, a 19-year-old teenager, from Chicago became the first patient of bone marrow transplant specialists in India to receive a haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), a procedure, also known as a half-match bone marrow transplant (BMT). This approach has been proven to lower the chance of graft as opposed to host disease, a common and now and again dangerous hassle of HSCT characterized by skin, gastrointestinal and liver manifestations for which haploidentical transplant recipients has commonly had an extra risk for. This approach has been a success in “curing” patients of some cancers and blood problems like sickle cell anemia.

Isla, who did not have previous health issues, started getting stomach aches that made her want to throw up starting in July of 2018. After having a top respiration infection, she noticed more signs that guarantee a trip to hospital. “My chest was hurting and my heart became beating fast along with vomiting and stomach pain,” she says. Testing at a local hospital in Chicago found traumatic news. A CT test showed that Isla had a mass that covered one third of her stomach. A biopsy on her 19th birthday showed that the mass was malignant and fluid was growing somewhere near her heart.

“I got the most devastating news that I had Burkitt lymphoma. And found out I will need to go through chemotherapy and be unwell and nauseated it turned into a totally disturbing time” Isla says. Isla was then referred to the bone marrow transplant specialists in India for evaluation, as the family was looking for affordable bone marrow transplant; India was the best option for them.

Entirely exasperated by all the futile efforts, Isla’s parents eventually decided to look out for the best health facility outside their country Chicago. While looking for option on the internet, they stumbled upon the website of India Organ Transplant. Instantly, a question was posted on the website and a case supervisor referred to as them to help in addition. The case manager took reports and shared them with some of the top bone marrow transplant surgeons in India, after which the opinion of some of the topmost bone marrow transplant specialists in India was dispensed to the family. Therefore, after going through the opinions in detail, the family decided to go to India.

Isla did now not have a fully matched donor through her own family or the national marrow donor registry. Her brother who was younger to her found to be a 50% of match. Because of the high-risk nature of Isla’s condition, the bone marrow transplant hospital in India determined a haploidentical transplant would be the great option for Isla. Top bone marrow transplant surgeons in India met with Isla and her family and decided to move forward with a haploidentical transplant.

Another Success Story of India organ transplant: Argentina Patients Journey of Bone Marrow Transplant for Thalassemia in India

Soon, with the help of the case manager, the paperwork becomes completed and the patient arrived in India and the patient’s appointment was fixed at best bone marrow transplant hospital in India. On the appointment day, Top bone marrow transplant surgeons in India took a meticulously listened to the case records of the affected person, did a though physical exam and ordered the required investigations. “Because a haploidentical donor is a donor wherein HLA match is at 50% level, the chances of finding a HiD are a ways more than HLA absolutely-matched family or unrelated donors.

The transplant procedure for Isla took place in January of 2019 and Isla recovered very well with the help of caring staff at top bone marrow hospital in India. She continues to be disease-free. After a week in India, the family returned to their home country, pleased with the improvements in Isla’s conditions. After receiving a low cost bone marrow transplant in India at top bone marrow hospital is now more than ever determined to see Isla better and leading a full life ahead, the family is determined to carry on the advice given by bone marrow transplant specialists in India. Isla hopes to use her experience to help others in the future. 

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