Dawn Goodfriend, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, said she’d never been in the hospital except for a tonsillectomy in 1969. That all changed in January 2020. Below, Dawn recalls her cancer journey and the important role her caregivers played throughout her treatment and recovery.
In late January 2020, I woke up in pain and went to urgent care, where I was then sent to the ER. I could see the doctors knew something was wrong, but they weren’t sure what my problem was. I was referred to a hematologist, and (voila!) my platelets were 15,000 — a few hundred thousand short! The diagnosis: acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL.
I was immediately admitted to the Blood & Marrow Transplant (BMT) Program at Northside Hospital for intensive inpatient treatment.
I was treated by a team dedicated not only to saving my life but also to making the journey a thoroughly planned and executed program for success. All of the physicians, led by Dr. Scott Solomon (whom I called “Solomon the Wise”), and the leukemia coordinators were incredibly caring. They explained every aspect of my treatment to me and my husband and guided us through this intensive regimen. My daily leukemia treatments on the Northside BMT unit were treated with such care — even the music therapist helped me relax through the clicks of the infusions.
Each frontline BMT unit “healing angel” walked into my room with a smile and loving determination. I was known as the “Popsicle Lady” because popsicles soothed my soul.
I had several lumbar punctures, and the interventional radiologist was so meticulous, making this treatment almost effortless.
After nearly three weeks in the BMT unit, I went home.
Then May 14 happened. During my consolidation chemotherapy, my port became septic. Living in Lawrenceville, I went to Northside Hospital Gwinnett this time. It was during the height of COVID-19. I was intubated for three days and, as I woke up, clinging to life, thought, “What the …. happened?”
I spent two weeks bedridden, unable to move due to fluid buildup in my body. Despite the challenges of the lockdown, the nurses and rehabilitation staff treated me with incredible care.
I was transferred to a rehabilitation facility. Rehab was intense — I arrived needing to be lifted by a Hoyer lift and left using a walker. Once again, I had no visitors and no popsicles!
Every patient needs to have a caregiver. I had the best one: my beyond-amazing husband, who took care of me so well during my ALL treatment and BMT recovery. Anybody who empties your bedside commode with no complaint is a keeper!
After rehab, I continued my leukemia treatment, and then it was stem cell transplant time. (Oh boy!!) Unfortunately, no one in my family was a match, but thanks to my BMT coordinator, Shayla Henke (whom I affectionately called “Shayla Don’t Play”), we were undaunted, and my donor was found through NMDP (formerly known as Be the Match).
On Aug. 11, 2020, I received my matched unrelated donor (MUD) stem cells. One of my “Barry Sisters” (fans of Barry Manilow), Donna Ruberti, flew down on her own dime to donate platelets for the Northside Leukemia and BMT program patients at Atlanta Blood Services. The “Manilove” is real!
After my MUD stem cell infusion, I was then put on a schedule of regular treatments and medication adjustments to ensure success. I had periodic bone marrow biopsies to check to see if I was in remission from my ALL. At the infusion facility, triage nurse Janet Benn not only made everything precise but also made it fun. All of the BMT clinic staff treated me like a celebrity, from Elsy Beltran in the front office to all the infusion staff. I felt important and loved.
And then there is Rashi Grover, Dr. Solomon’s physician assistant. Her compassion and meticulous attention to my needs during my transplant recovery was only surpassed by the reassuring sound of her footsteps.
While recovering at home, I developed symptoms of graft-versus-host disease, mostly affecting my skin and endurance. I went to Northside Atlanta’s outpatient Rehabilitation Services, where therapists Sarah Gafnea and Luba Underwood helped me regain my strength.
I never thought my 58th year of life would be spent trying to get to 59. Everyone involved held my hand tightly and, in return, I hope I have made them feel important and appreciated. My friends have also been critical to my recovery. If I mentioned all of them, this would be a million-word essay.
My advice to newly diagnosed patients: if you ever face a diagnosis of leukemia, do not Google it. If you do, have faith in your medical team and follow their every instruction. You are your only statistic!
My husband and all my caregivers took the best care of me during a very vulnerable and difficult moment in my life. I could not have endured the treatment and recovery marathon without their daily positivity, love and faith that I was in the right medical care and would re-gain my health. I thank my attitude of gratitude and sense of humor (thanks, Dad) and, most of all, I thank my Amway family and my heaven-filled posse of ancestors and dear friends.
In conclusion, coming to Northside Hospital not only saved my life, it changed my life for the very better.
Learn more about the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Northside.
*The health story shared here is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Patients should consult with their own physician before making medical decisions.
