"The cancer is back.” A statement one never wants to hear, but the reality of a local firefighter’s family. Pat Schaefer is a firefighter at Oak Creek Fire Department and a Coast Guard Reservist. Pat’s wife, D’Ann, had been in remission from Multiple Myeloma (a cancer of the bone marrow) for the past 8 years, until she found out she had relapsed last year. Prior to her relapse, she has gone through spinal fusion surgery, many rounds of radiation, chemotherapy and two bone marrow transplants. Since her relapse last year, she underwent more radiation, started two new chemotherapies, and did three donor lymphocyte infusions. However, a few months ago she learned that the journey was not over and she would need to go through yet another new treatment called CAR T-cell therapy.
CAR T-cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy, which enables the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Doctors remove a type of white blood cell, called T cells, from the patient’s body and alter them in a laboratory. The reengineered cells are then returned to the patient to find and attack cancer.
With any cancer treatment, this one doesn’t come without the possibility of side effects. Because of the risks associated with CAR T, Pat and D’Ann are required to stay at Kathy’s House (a non-profit Hospital Guest House that provides lodging and a supportive environment to families who are experiencing one of life’s most stressful situations—personal illness or the serious illness of a loved one) for approximately a month to be watched closely for any negative side effects resulting from the treatment. Pat will be her 24 hour caregiver for the month following her infusion of the new cells. Although this hurdle was not one they ever imagined facing a second time in their lives, they remain hopeful and optimistic with this new treatment.
Pat and D’Ann have twin boys who are 4 years old, and although they are ready to put their best foot forward, they are sure going to miss not being with their boys for a month while D’Ann gets her new cells.
Cancer is devastating, and as with any treatment, this one doesn’t come without financial burden as well. Pat and D’Ann are so grateful for all the love and support they’ve received and couldn’t do it without the kindness and generosity of others.
