“I am grateful every day that I picked up the phone and called Fox Chase.”‐Demetria Mears
When I look back on my cancer journey, I often think about the moment I realized I had to take control of my care.
I first started noticing symptoms years before my diagnosis. I had fatigue, burning in my feet, and body aches, but no one seemed to know what was going on. Finally, in 2014, while I was living in Cincinnati, I was diagnosed with thrombocythemia vera at 46 years old.
Thrombocythemia vera is a rare chronic blood disorder, a blood cancer, in which the bone marrow produces too many platelets. This can be dangerous and lead to blood clots in the heart, lungs, or brain. It can also sometimes lead to myelofibrosis and acute myeloid leukemia.
At the time, I was receiving treatment at a local cancer center, but I only saw my doctors every six months. I kept telling them something wasn’t right, but I felt like no one was really keeping track of my condition.
Then one day, a doctor looked me in the eye and told me I likely wouldn’t be alive in three years. Hearing that was devastating. I knew I had to find a place where I could feel safe, supported, and confident in my care.
Taking a Chance on Fox Chase
Around June of 2024, I was at home in Dover, Delaware, and saw a television commercial for Fox Chase Cancer Center. Something inside me said, “Pick up the phone.” It was a simple act, but it completely changed my life.
Soon after, I became a patient at Fox Chase. I first met Dr. Asya Nina Varshavsky-Yanovsky, a hematologist/oncologist in the Department of Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapies, and then I was introduced to Dr. Peter Abdelmessieh, a hematologist/oncologist specializing in blood cancers, and his clinical research team.
From the very first visit at Fox Chase, I could feel the difference. They were more knowledgeable, more thorough, and genuinely concerned about my well-being. Instead of appointments every six months, I was now being seen twice a month. For the first time, I felt like my health was truly being watched and managed.
A Clinical Trial Success
I was being treated with chemotherapy, but then I learned about a clinical trial that Dr. Abdelmessieh was conducting. After talking with them about the research and my treatment options, I decided to join. I thought, “Why not? Nothing else has worked, and I want to live.”
The trial combines two drugs currently on the market and is for patients who really don’t have other options. I’ve responded well to the clinical trial, which feels much more tailored to my condition.
I feel stronger, more energetic, and my appetite is better. The side effects are manageable thanks to supportive care for nausea, pain, and other issues. They’ve also connected me with pain management and women’s health specialists to care for my whole self, not just my blood disorder. It’s the first time I’ve ever felt fully supported in all aspects of my health.
One of the things that meant the most to me was how compassionate everyone at Fox Chase was. I remember one moment clearly: Dr. Abdelmessieh told me, “I was on vacation, and I was thinking about you.” That simple statement told me I wasn’t just another patient. They truly cared.
Recovering My Life
Before coming to Fox Chase, I didn’t really have a life. I couldn’t go out, attend my daughter’s basketball and soccer games, or even enjoy time with friends. I didn’t have the energy or the motivation to do anything.
Now, at 58 years old, my life has changed completely. I can go out, participate in family events, and focus on things that matter to me. While a bone marrow transplant may be part of my future because of my myelofibrosis, my care team is taking a thoughtful approach. They have a plan A, B, and C, and they make sure I’m ready for each step.
Right now, my numbers are good, and there’s no need to rush anything. I feel safe knowing that my care is individualized and constantly monitored.
Something Lost is Found
Fox Chase has given me something I thought I had lost: hope.
I want anyone going through a similar journey to know that you do have a chance. Don’t give up. Take your medicine. Keep going. I’ve been to other cancer centers, and while they were fine, Fox Chase has been the best one for me. They truly look at the whole person, not just the disease.
This diagnosis has changed the way I see life. Life is short, and it can be unpredictable. I never thought something like this would slow me down but it did, and it taught me to appreciate every moment.
I am grateful every day that I picked up the phone and called Fox Chase. The whole team is wonderful, and I have nothing but great things to say about them. They’ve given me the chance to live my life fully, and I will always be thankful for that.
Learn more about treatment for blood cancer at Fox Chase Cancer Center.