From Bermuda To Boston: Lucy's AML Story

Last year, Lucy Hollis went to a blood bank in her home of Bermuda. She hoped to donate blood and help save a life. Instead, she was told she had low hemoglobin levels and to immediately see her doctor. She was a healthy 38 year old who didn’t feel sick.

After blood tests and consulting with her doctor, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and everything began to move very quickly. She was referred to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, so she moved with her mother from Bermuda to Boston immediately. She had a consultation the next Monday and was admitted to the hospital that day. She then had a bone marrow biopsy and started chemotherapy on Sunday.

Lucy had induction chemotherapy followed by two rounds of high-intensity cytarabine consolidation (HiDAC). Because of high measurable residual disease (MRD), an allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT) was done in November 2024. She has completed her active treatment and is now in remission.

Adjusting to recovery after stem cell transplant

Lucy's doctors advised she remain in Boston for at least a year to be close to Dana Farber. Relapse, infection, and graft versus host disease (GVHD) can happen quickly and she needs immediate access to her hospital. “I recently got my first round of re-vaccinations after losing my previous immunity during the stem cell transplant. My immune system needs all the help it can get! I am still consciously avoiding places with potential germs like enclosed public spaces,” Lucy said.

Being away from home, her family, hobbies, and work is extremely difficult, but Lucy’s health and energy are recovering. She has started exercising and running again. This has helped her to feel more like herself. 

“Rather than worry about my blood counts I try to act according to how I feel. As walking time was starting to feel boring and easy, I decided to sign up for a half marathon in November, almost to the day since my stem cell transplant a year ago,” Lucy said.

HealthTree is here to help

“I found HealthTree because initially I was trying to follow advice about keeping my reading to reputable research,” Lucy said. Lucy tried to avoid reading anything negative or organizations looking only for money. HealthTree is a nonprofit company that works to accelerate research and help patients keep track of their data and labwork. HealthTree wants patients to take charge of their cancer journey. 

There are many ways to connect with HealthTree to find the support you need: 

• Join Cure Hub to connect your records and track your labwork and lines of therapy and find side effects solutions, treatment options, and clinical trials. 
• Watch our educational videos at HealthTree University for answers to questions you may have during treatment.
• Stay up-to-date with current news articles.

If you have any questions, please contact us at support@healthtree.org, or feel free to connect with one of our patient navigators by calling 1-800-709-1113.