Being African-American and having type AB positive blood, Ray knew that finding a bone marrow donor match to treat his non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Ray is an Agent Orange survivor from the Vietnam War.
When Ray experienced his third NHL relapse in 2007 after numerous treatments, including an autologous bone marrow transplant, he was referred to Dr. Paul Shaughnessy, a bone marrow transplant physician with Texas Transplant Physician Group in San Antonio. After examining his options, Dr. Shaughnessy scheduled Ray for a transplant using donated umbilical cord blood.
"This was the third time my cancer relapsed and, at that time, my attitude was, ‘Let's kill it! Let's get it done!'" Ray says. Ray also stated that the importance of prayer, strong family support, and the professionalism of Dr. Shaughnessy's medical team bolstered his confidence in achieving a positive outcome.
Even though Dr. Shaughnessy explained the risks associated with the procedure and the possibility the cord blood transplant might not work, both he and Ray were optimistic. "We pretty much agreed to give it a good college-boy try!" Ray says.
A twice-retired Air Force colonel and executive director with non-profit organizations, Ray was intensely pragmatic about his transplant. "I'm not going to worry about it. These guys know their stuff," he said at the time.
Just two weeks after meeting Dr. Shaughnessy, in June 2007, Ray received a cord blood transplant. Today, Ray considers himself cancer free. "I know there might be something in my body waiting to trigger another relapse but I will do everything I can do to deny it that trigger." And Ray believes that by managing his stress and keeping a positive attitude, he will be fine.
He needs to see Dr. Shaughnessy only twice a year now, but goes to the clinic to have his Mediport® flushed once a month. Ray enjoys his visits with BMT nurse practitioner, Jill MacPherson, and the rest of the team. "I love ‘em all!" Ray laughs when asked about the care he received from the clinic's nursing staff. "They're all so positive, friendly and professional. And they keep your well-being at heart."
While Ray knows that at age 67 his energy level isn't what it used to be, he's enjoying life-;taking it easy and planning to stay retired this time. "A healthy life, family, and spiritual strength are more important than working," he says.
Texas Transplant Physician Group serves patients at Texas Transplant Institute in San Antonio, Texas. The Adult Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Program on the campus of Methodist Hospital is one of the biggest programs in the United States. It was the first program to be accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cell Therapy (FACT) and has remained accredited ever since.