A 78-year-old Rockland County cancer survivor may be the oldest-ever recipient of allogenic stem cell treatment. Essie Oates is in remission after her 41-year-old son Oliver donated his bone marrow for a transplant. Typi- cally, a patient over the age of 70 wouldnt be recom- mended for the risky procedure. But Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center Nurse Practitioner Rosma Mathew told the Rockland County Times that Oates was approved for the procedure because she was in such good shape and fighting spirit.
A mother-of-two, Oates, who was raised in South Carolina and has lived in Clarkstown for 45 years, was one of 20,000 diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia last year. She began her four cycles of stem cell treatment last Feb- ruary, four months after her July diagnosis and several rounds of chemotherapy.
At one point we were doubtful that she would be able to stand this procedure, Mathew told the Rockland County Times. I told her [the things that could happen] so many times, and she was like lets go for it.'
Oates sought out a second opinion after her first doctor would not approve her for the treatment; Dr. Aditi Shastri at New York Presbyterian approved her for the lifesaving procedure after a consultation, telling her that age is just a number.
On September 11, Oates celebrated her 78th birthday with her family, and told the Rockland County Times that her loved ones couldnt believe how good [she] looked.
I just want people to know that you can do it youll be surprised. you have to believe it, she said. Just because the norm is set or something doesnt mean that you cant do it just because someone else said you cant.
The mother-of-two credits her vitality to eating right and exercise. Her active lifestyle includes regular walks around Rockland Lake and across the Tapen Zee Bridge, plenty of outings with her two dogs, and a healthy diet devoid of red meat.
She also credits her recovery to her faith and her Mon- tefiore care team: Its hard to say how nice they are and the positivity they give me.
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Clarkstown woman beats Leukemia | The Rockland County Times - Rockland County Times
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