DATE: Thursday, September 18, 1997          TAG: 9709170195

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 07   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: COVER STORY 

SOURCE: BY KAREN HARVEY  

                                            LENGTH:   85 lines

BONE MARROW DONATED TO HELP SISTER SURVIVE

WHEN MY SISTER Ronni Haught was diagnosed with leukemia at age 54 we - her family and friends - were devastated. The diagnosis was made in January 1996 and the doctor immediately tried to bring the disease into remission - the first method: chemotherapy alone - a process she came to refer as her ``Great Adventure.''

``And what if it doesn't work?'' I asked.

``Oh, there are other things to try,'' she said lightly. ``Like a bone marrow transplant.''

There was a pause. ``Next time you are in Norfolk, we'll both get tested for bone marrow compatibility.''

``No problem,'' I replied automatically, never for one minute thinking the medicine wouldn't work.

On my next trip up to Norfolk, Ronni and I went together to get typed for Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) compatibility. It was a simple blood test. At this point the medications seemed to be working, and I returned home, believing she would be fine.

``Guess what?'' I could sense Ronni's grin over the phone. ``We're a perfect match. It's a six out of six.''

She explained that two siblings have about 25 percent chance of matching, while four siblings have about a 75 percent chance.

The ideal time for bone marrow transplants is between 12 to 14 months after diagnosis. By January 1997 the decision was made to seek consultation about a bone marrow transplant at Medical College of Virginia (MCV). Ronni was then scheduled to enter the hospital on an out-patient basis in early March. She was to begin intense chemotherapy for several days as an outpatient prior to her admission to the hospital for further preparation and the transplant.

Ronni was admitted March 13, knowing that it could be several weeks in isolation before she could leave the hospital and many months before she could lead a normal life.

By this time, people began questioning me about how I felt about my role in all this. ``Fine,'' I said to everyone. ``No big deal.'' A good friend warned me that it WAS a ``big deal,'' and that I could feel guilty if the procedure didn't work.

Several weeks prior to the transplant date, I was tested further for more precise HLA compatibility and underwent the usual pre-operative diagnostic testing. The bone marrow harvest follows while the donor is anesthetized. Marrow is withdrawn from the hips, usually an outpatient procedure.

On March 16, my mother and I were driven from Norfolk to Richmond where my sister was hospitalized and the bone marrow harvest would be performed.

We stayed in the Hospitality House close to MCV as I waited for my curtain call. On March 18, I was taken to surgery at 8 a.m. At 10 a.m. I was awakened and wheeled up to my sister's room. Hanging from the I.V. pole was a plastic bag filled with a dark red substance. It was my bone marrow and drop by drop it was giving life to my sister. My mother, and my step-sister, Martha, as well as several of the nurses watched as Ronni received new health.

In six hours and 10 minutes, it was all over. At least, the transplant part was completed.

Next came the healing process. Because my sister and I were a perfect match and she had relatively few complications, Ronni was able to leave the hospital after 3 1/2 weeks rather than the anticipated six.

As for me, I went back to the Hospitality House after the infusion was completed, feeling a great sense of relief and absolutely no pain. I had received medication for the pain that would eventually come as the anesthetic wore off. I was told to rest for a week and do no strenuous exercise for a month. I returned to St. Augustine two days later.

It took a full month for all signs (bruises) of the surgery to disappear. ``Just don't wear a bikini,'' the doctors joked.

My sister is back at home in Norfolk and doing well. Her recovery period will be long, but we all know she's on the way to good health and will again be the bright, energetic person upon whom so many people rely.

There are many things we can do to make people like Ronni healthy, and I believe we need to know what they are. Any of us who are healthy should give consideration to helping those who are not - even if it is just giving blood.

For those more adventurous, the bone marrow donor number is 1-800-MARROW-2. All one has to do is get a blood test and be placed on a list (this can be accomplished at the Red Cross). Who knows, if you are asked, you may be able to give someone life. MEMO: Reprinted with permission from The St. Augustine (Fla.) Record. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Ronni Haught's mother, Elinor Davis, left, step-sister Martha Rogers

and sister/donor Karen Harvey, visit her the day of the bone marrow

transplant.

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