Fri Feb 03 2012
by Dorothy Markulis
Reporter
Boston Heights -- "I am the living, breathing end product of the most awesome recycling program on the face of the earth," says leukemia survivor Diana Tirpak.
The Boston Heights resident, who was told she had months to live in 2007, was saved by a procedure involving stem cells from umbilical cord blood.
Umbilical cord blood, rich in stem cells, was previously regarded as medical waste. But the harvesting of blood, a procedure pioneered by Diana's doctor in 1993, removed her death sentence.
"I had undergone chemotherapy in 2007 but it didn't work," Diana, 68, recalled. "The doctor told me I had two to six months to live."
Diana, 68, a retired school nurse with Mayfield City Schools, said she went home to prepare for her death.
"We took care of the financial stuff. My daughter and I cleaned out closets. I hadn't given up hope but part of me was a realist. I did what I could do for the kids before I died," she said.
Diana said bravery had nothing to do with dealing with her prognosis.
"I didn't have any profound answers," she said. "I just had to do what I had to do and get on with it."
Diana said she spent many days crying. One thing she didn't do was plan her funeral, except for one detail.
"I took my husband to the tailor to get a new black suit to wear to my funeral," she said.
At the same time, Diana, her family and doctor were looking for clinical trial treatments.
"That's one thing I learned. You must be an advocate for yourself," Diana said. "I knew stem cells were being used to treat leukemia, but you had to be in remission to be a candidate."
Diana said she went through a second round of chemotherapy at Ireland Cancer Center in 2007 at University Hospital. This time she went into remission.
"That made me a candidate for a stem cell transplant," she said.
On Feb. 22, 2008, Diana received the stem cells that saved her life.
"I just celebrated my second birthday," Tirpak said. "I am cancer free."
Tirpak and her family celebrate three birthdays -- one on the anniversary of her stem cell transplant, one on her chronological birthday in September, and one June 18 one the birth date of her stem cell donor.
"We're very grateful to the mother who consented to donate her child's umbilical cord blood," she said.
Diana said she was fortunate to have Dr. Mary Laughlin, a proponent of the stem cell procedure, as her physician.
Laughlin is the founder and medical director of the Cleveland Cord Blood Center, a public donor bank. The facility opened its doors in January 2008. There are just 10 public donor banks in the U.S.
"It's been a long journey," Diana said. "Lots of valleys and hills -- a real roller coaster ride."
Ernest "Jake" Tirpak has shared this roller coaster ride with his wife of 48 years.
"It was devastating when the doctors told us she had two to six months to live. He told her to go home and get her life in order," Jake recalled.
One of those things she wanted to do was to get Jake a proper suit so he would look good at her funeral.
"That was hard. I didn't want to think in those terms but I was willing to do anything to make her happy," he said.
Jake said his wife went through arduous months of hospital rounds, chemotherapy and blood transfusions.
"She would come home from chemotherapy sick as a dog," he said.
Jake said he would sit on a bench at Brandywine Falls and talk to the "man above."
"We had to be strong. We refused to give up," he said.
Jake said the recovery period was long and slow after the stem cell procedure.
"Then about four months later there was the greatest improvement. It happened overnight. Now each day has been better and better," Jake said.
Diana and Jake exercise regularly in Macedonia and are members of the Silver Sneakers program. They have three adult children and two grandchildren.
Diana has become an advocate of the cord blood donor program.
"We need to educate the public, especially mothers about this valuable resource," she said.
"It's all about waste management."
Jake's new suit wasn't wasted either. He recently wore it to a family wedding the Tirpaks attended.
E-mail: dmarkulis@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3943
Comments
By Posting to this site, you agree to our Terms of Service Be polite.
Inappropriate posts may be removed.
The-News-Leader.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Login above or Register to comment.
0 Total Comments Home | Back
Copyright Record Publishing Co, LLC. 1995-2010. All Rights Reserved.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Dix Communications