Posted on 09/02/2006 7:38:35 PM PDT by Coleus
A major breakthrough in cancer research may save a Fort Campbell soldier's life. An anonymous person had donated stem cells from umbilical cord blood. That donation led to only the second adult stem cell transplant in the state. For Army Cpl. Charles Dougherty, however, it was a chance to reclaim the life he lost due to leukemia.
“I'm a combat engineer for the U.S. Army. We do demolitions and mine clearance,” Dougherty said. Dougherty had to leave the job he loves. “For him not to be able to do his job. I know it's hard on him,” his wife, Crystal Dougherty, said. The 24-year-old was joined by his family as he prepared to receive the transplant. In the weeks preceding, he had to undergo powerful doses of chemotherapy and radiation to rid his body of cancer. If all goes well, the transplant will stop the cancer from coming back. “I know it's probably going to save my life,” Dougherty said. Doctors thawed the umbilical chord blood and then injected it into his veins. They said the stem cells should latch on to his bone and bone marrow, regenerating his cells and giving him a new immune system.
Dougherty, who served in Iraq, said he hopes the transplant can make him healthy enough to return to his family and his job. “I just hope I can recover quick and go back to work as soon as possible,” Dougherty said. “I'm very proud of my son for what he's doing. He's been to Iraq, fought for us, and now he's coming back here and fighting for himself,” Dougherty’s mother, Mary Dougherty, said. Doctors said the transplant went well. They will monitor Dougherty for the next year to track his progress and check for any complications. They said the first few weeks after the transplant are the most crucial.
This was the first adult cord blood transplant in Nashville and the second in the state.
Cord blood transplants have been widely used to treat children with certain cancers. It's still new in adult patients because of the amount of stem cells needed for larger patients. As for Dougerty returning to the Army, doctors said it will depend on his progress, but he will have to wait at least one full year.
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