# Meet Greg Rose: an awe inspiring umbilical cord blood transplant survivor

> Greg Rose had a umbilical cord blood transplant and has truly inspiring story.

- **URL:** https://www.nbmtlink.org/meet-greg-rose-an-awe-inspiring-umbilical-cord-blood-transplant-survivor/
- **Author:** Peggy
- **Published:** 2018-07-15
- **Modified:** 2022-06-19
- **Categories:** Blog

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**By: Greg Rose**

 

In the summer of 2005 I was 35 years old, married, and the father of three.  I started to feel run down and was looking ashen.  I went to my family doctor and within a 48-hour period was admitted to the ER with the diagnosis of AML: Acute Myeloid Leukemia, intermediate cytogenetic (M5). I was critically ill with a white count well over 120,000.  I was 50/50 for conventional treatment versus the transplant option.  Opting for the chemo route, I endured 100-plus days of hospitalization within a five-month period. With many bumps and close calls along the way, I finally achieved remission and was home for good.

I enjoyed almost two years of remission before my disease returned. This time, it was discovered in my central nervous system. Second time around there were no options; I needed a bone marrow transplant. I was unable to find a suitable family donor or one in the bank. Ironically, my three siblings all matched each other, but not me. I underwent the first double umbilical cord transplant performed at the Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital – two baby cords from unknown donors.  I engrafted around day 21 with the cord from a baby girl. The first year or so was tough, lots of platelets and red blood transfusions and some other minor health issues.  Mainly, I was simply handling and recovering from the beating I had taken physically and psychologically. My GVHD has been limited to skin and GI issues, nothing too bad.   As they say, “if you have some issues, you know it’s working.”

**My BMT Cancer Survival Guide**

- Be your own advocate with your medical care; if you can’t, find someone who can help you.
- Confidence in your treatment is key.  Get a second opinion, if you have doubts; your doctors won’t be offended.  Your own confidence that your plan is the optimal path to go is power.
- Listen to your body.  “Squeaky wheel gets the grease.” If you feel “off,” let your medical team know. Be persistent, infection comes quickly!
- Drink water, stay hydrated.
- Drink water, stay hydrated.
- Accept help, support and kindness from others.
- Self-pity and blaming is wasted energy; focus on looking forward, not backwards.
- Stay away from chat rooms and blogs, they are not validated sources of information.
- Statistics and percentages are meaningless. There is only one of you in the whole world.
- Take it day-by-day, give yourself a break, if you are having a down day.
- Stay busy and try to move around.
- Surround yourself with things that make you happy – the people, hobbies, etc. that you enjoy.
- Time is your ally. A remission buys you time, and new discoveries are happening every day.

I don’t proclaim that I had a plan for success or even comprehend what I went through.  I do know that people go through the process and can come out on the other side.  I believe in science and in the technology of this treatment.

I am now heading into ten years, post-transplant, and am happily living a normal life.  It’s been quite a ride and I am forever changed from this experience.  I am grateful for my family, my friends, my medical team, and marrow.org for providing me a chance for survival.

Blessings, respect, and love to all my fellow BMT warriors and their families.

**Greg Rose**
_**Columbus, OH**_

[![](https://www.nbmtlink.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/greg-rose-photo-215x300.jpg)](https://www.nbmtlink.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/greg-rose-photo.jpg)

 

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_Source: [National Bone Marrow Transplant LINK (nbmtLINK)](https://www.nbmtlink.org)_
_Generated: 2026-11-02 15:56:47_