Robin Roberts Responding Well to Bone Marrow Transplant, Hopes to go Home Next Week
Two weeks after Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts underwent a bone marrow transplant, she said she is doing fine. Roberts has been in the hospital for 25 days undergoing treatment, but said she is not paying attention to the number of day's she's been away from the anchor desk.
The only numbers that matter are my blood counts and they are... GREAT!" she wrote in a blog post. "My sister Sally-Ann's stem cells apparently feel right at home in my body - an answer to so many prayers."
Roberts announced in June that she has myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) five years after being treated for breast cancer.
"Bone marrow donors are scarce and particularly for African-American women Roberts wrote in a blog post. "I am very fortunate to have a sister who is an excellent match, and this greatly improves my chances for a cure."
According to the National Marrow Donor Program's data, more than 10,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with blood-related disorders every year. Even thought the best treatment is a bone marrow transplant for the blood-related disorders, unfortunately, not all the patients are as lucky as Robin Roberts, especially for African-Americans. The chance of finding a match on national registry for African-Americans and other minorities is 66 percent, while the number for Caucasians is 93 percent.
Roberts took an extended medical leave from GMA at the end of August.
During Roberts' absence, ABC News' Diane Sawyer, Katie Couric , Barbara Walters and Elizabeth Vargas and Oprah Winfrey, Kelly Ripa, Chris Rock, Rob Lowe and the cast of ABC's "Modern Family will help lead the GMA ship.
Roberts said that her doctors and nurses are pleased with her progress despite some rough days she has faced.
"I have had some extremely painful days and it's still difficult for me to eat because of all the chemo," she said.
Roberts said her journey has been a lesson and that colleagues Sam Champion and Josh Elliot have been lifting her spirits. Roberts' pastor is expected to visit her over the weekend.
Dr. Andrew Pecora, vice president of cancer services at Hackensack University Medical Center, told the New York Post that the next two weeks are a critical time for her body to respond to the new bone marrow cells, but Roberts said she expects to go home next week.
"I am hopeful that I MAY be well enough to continue my recovery at home next week and my sisters plan to come back to NYC for that milestone in my journey," she said. "I truly FEEL and thank you for your love, prayers and good wishes. And I return it to you tenfold. Light Love Power Presence."
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