Cancer treatment leaves man in need of bone marrow transplant
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Gallo family

When Mike Gallo woke up one July morning in 2003, he could barely open his eyes.

The construction worker assumed his head was swollen because of an allergic reaction to dust. But weeks of taking overthe-counter medication had no effect on the swelling, and Mike finally saw a doctor.

Tests revealed a large malignant tumor was crushing a major artery near his heart. The tumor was blocking blood flow, causing his head to swell. The doctor said he was weeks away from death.

After surgery and sessions of chemotherapy, it seemed Mike was cancer free in September of that year.

But the good news didn't last for long. A checkup in May 2005 revealed the cancer had returned. Rounds of radiation and more intense chemotherapy helped. Two years later Mike seems to have beaten cancer, but he's paid a price.

His bone marrow was damaged in the process and doesn't produce enough healthy blood cells- a condition called myelodysplastic syndrome.

Although he has blood transfusions about every two weeks, doctors recommend he have a bone marrow transplant.

Mike and Bridgette, his wife, know his condition is serious but they disagree on whether it's life threatening or not. Bridgette says Mike will probably die if he doesn't have a transplant, because if left unchecked his condition could turn into leukemia.

Mike, on the other hand, said he'll leave the matter of a transplant in God's hands.

"I'm not necessarily going to die," Mike said. "I'm going to be getting blood transfusions; I'll be hanging around the hospital for awhile."

None of Mike's family members are a match for a bone marrow transplant.

But five possible matches have been located in the national marrow registry. To increase his chances, donor and recipient must match exact tissue types.

A marrow and blood drive in Mike's honor is scheduled for June 14 at the Camarillo Library. Mike hopes to be present at the drive.

He was hospitalized recently when a suspicious mark developed on his hip. Doctors think he was bitten by a spider.

Mike must be especially careful about injuries and illnesses. A minor cough for someone else quickly turns into pneumonia for him, because the marrow disease has weakened his immune system.

The Gallo family is feeling the effects of Mike's poor health. Because of frequent medical appointments and difficulty breathing- the tumor collapsed part of his lung- Mike no longer works in the construction trade and collects Social Security.

When his health permits, he works part-time as a job coach for people with disabilities. If there is any good news in all this, it's that Mike has found his life's work. He said he enjoys motivating clients and watching them succeed.

Bridgette, a medical assistant, also can no longer work in her field and collects Social Security.

She suffers from debilitating anxiety brought on by years of worrying about Mike and their 3year-old son, Nickolaus, who has a speech-delay condition.

Last year, the Gallos tried starting a line of boutique baby items but have put those plans on hold until Mike improves.

Even if a match isn't found for him, Mike said someone somewhere in need of a bone marrow transplant is likely to benefit from the drive next month.

"It's going to save somebody's life," he said.

Kim Ramos, spokesperson for the National Marrow Donor Program, said only 30 percent of people in need of a transplant find a match among family members. The rest must rely on the registry.

The national registry program lists more than 6 million donors and can search an international donor database.

Ramos said the procedure for donors to join the registry was simplified last year. Only a cheek swab is needed instead of a blood test, and a kit can even be mailed out to those unable to come to the June 14 drive.

The Camarillo drive will be a combination blood and marrow drive, sponsored by the City of Hope and the National Marrow Donor Program.

Ramos said they're asking people to donate a pint of blood in exchange for joining the registry. Usually a $50 registration fee is requested.

Blood donors must be 17 or older and provide picture identification. Marrow donors must be between 18 and 60, in general good health and willing to donate to any patient in need.

For information on the Camarillo drive, call Bridgette Gallo at (805) 389-9127 or (805) 236-9625.

For information on the National Marrow Donor Program, call (626) 301-8483 or visit www.marrow.org.