Home Bone marrow transplantion Music therapy helps two-time cancer survivor undergo bone marrow transplant

Music therapy helps two-time cancer survivor undergo bone marrow transplant

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Lexington, Kentucky (June 21, 2024) – In 2018, Bobbi Jo Allen discovered a lump in her pectoral muscle while working out. Three days later, she got a call from her doctor. For the first time, Bobbi Jo had to accept the news: she had stage 4 cancer.

Bobbi Jo was diagnosed with stage 4 large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This type of cancer typically presents as a fast-growing mass. Although aggressive, it usually responds well to chemotherapy. After her diagnosis, Bobbi Jo began treatment immediately. University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center. To attack the fast-growing cancer, she was given doxorubicin, a powerful and widely used chemotherapy drug that got its amusing nickname because of its red color and powerful side effects.

“I was so lucky to find this lump because at that point it had spread all over my body,” Bobbi Jo said. “The treatment was 'Red Devil chemotherapy,' one of the strongest and most toxic chemotherapy treatments available on the market.”

She was treated with doxorubicin for eight months. After several months of intensive treatment, Bobbi Jo went into remission.

But five years later, while doing yoga and deep stretches, she felt something in her neck. It was an unusual lump and she knew she needed to see a doctor as soon as possible. While undergoing various tests and blood tests, Bobbi Jo also noticed a pea-sized swelling just below her belly button.

She spoke with multiple doctors and reviewed all the different test results. It wasn't until July 2023, nearly five years into remission, that Bobbi Jo's doctors told her that, indeed, her cancer had returned. She was faced with the truth that she was again diagnosed with Stage 4 Large B-Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and would require a bone marrow transplant.

“At first I was skeptical of the diagnosis,” Bobbi Jo says. “The doctors told me the only treatment they could offer me was a bone marrow transplant. I thought I could withstand another round of chemotherapy, but a bone marrow transplant…”

She spent the rest of the summer and fall undergoing chemotherapy and preparing her body for the transplant. Although Bobbi Jo leads an overall healthy and active lifestyle, she wanted to be as strong and healthy as possible before starting the transplant.

She exercised as much as she could and worked with a nutritionist to gain the right weight and muscle mass before the surgery.

Bobbi Jo was able to spend the holidays with her family, and on January 24, 2024, she underwent a bone marrow transplant.

Her immune system was so compromised that no visitors were allowed with her.

“My immune system was totally destroyed. I had nothing to protect myself with,” Bobbi Jo said. “Isolation was my fear.”

Bobbi Jo spoke with her care team and wanted to participate in the additional services they could provide. UK Healthcare's Integrated Medicine and Wellness ProgrammeEncouraged by her parents, music was a big part of her life from an early age, and she says she was always singing at a young age. Music Therapy It was one of the things she was looking forward to during her stay in hospital.

“Music therapy is something I was really keen to get into,” says Bobbi Jo. “Music inspires me and gives me so much joy.”

Jennifer Payton is a certified music therapist with the UK Integrative Medicine and Wellness Programme, serving patients at Markey Cancer Centre.

“When I saw Jen walk into my room with her guitar on her back, I didn't even know who she was, but I was so grateful that she came into my room and played her guitar,” Bobbi Jo said.

“Bobbi Jo approached her cancer treatment with the perfect combination of determination, faith, gratitude, humor, humility and style,” Jennifer said. “Her enthusiasm, not just for music therapy but for everything she does, was refreshing and inspiring.”

The two quickly bonded over music, and Bobby Joe found a way to let out whatever he was feeling that day.

“We got to know each other,” Bobbi Jo said. “On the first day, she sang me some Beatles songs, which I remember fondly. The music helped me calm down and relieve some of the stress I was feeling at the time.”

Bobbi Jo was facing anxiety and stress due to her physical condition, feelings of isolation and fear of the unknown. Spending time with Jennifer, listening to music and singing together was a release for me.

“I developed a bond with her and after all the treatment I had and her visiting me so many times, I really realized that music therapy was part of my treatment team,” Bobbi Jo says. “It takes a village to receive a bone marrow transplant.”

During the sessions, Jennifer always had her guitar with her. She checked in with Bobby Joe every day to see how Jennifer was feeling. Some days, Bobby Joe just had to listen to Jennifer play the guitar, and other days, he sang with her. He even had the opportunity to write a song with Jennifer to express his feelings.

“I'd never written a song before,” Bobbi Jo says, “but Jen said I could rewrite it, and as I was writing, I was thinking about the sacrifices my daughter has made to help me on my journey, so I decided to rewrite the Natalie Merchant song 'Kind & Generous.'”

Songwriting is one of Jennifer’s favorite music therapy interventions to help patients cope with their experiences.

“Songwriting can be fun, humorous and entertaining, but it can also be serious, tearful and cathartic work,” Jennifer says. “Most of the therapeutic impact is achieved during the songwriting process, but the final product is something patients can keep forever as a memento of what they've been through, and that's really special.”

They recorded the song together on Bobbi Jo's final day in hospital, and Jennifer was able to share the file so Bobbi Jo's daughter could listen to it.

“I just cried,” Bobbi Jo said. “It felt like everything had come full circle for me. Music takes you down memory lane. It helps you get through the good times and the bad times. Jen did just that. She's been an incredible healer on my journey.”

Jennifer is grateful to be a part of her patients’ healing process through a variety of music therapy interventions.

“It's amazing how music therapy can positively impact so many aspects of a cancer patient's treatment journey,” Jennifer says. “I feel so lucky to work at a hospital that values ​​an integrative care approach like creative arts therapy.”

Doctors estimated that Bobbi Jo would need to stay in the hospital for three weeks, but after 15 days, they received word that she had recovered enough to be discharged.

“I decided I was going to get out of there,” Bobbi Jo said, “and now I'm setting new goals and reaching those goals. I'm just living each day to the fullest.”

Now, Bobbi Jo is 148 days removed from her bone marrow transplant, and she recently had her final PET scan, which showed she is once again in remission.

“The best news ever,” Bobbi Jo said. “I have no disease in my body, no signs of anything. I'm in complete 100% remission and I feel great. This is me being a survivor for the second time. So my mantra is just keep making plans.”

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About Us

Welcome to Daily Transplant News, your trusted source for the latest updates, stories, and information on transplantation and organ donations. We are passionate about sharing the inspiring journeys, groundbreaking research, and invaluable resources surrounding the world of transplantation.

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