BMT and Leukemia Patient Katherine Welch’s Dad, Bayne Million, Pays Tribute to the Northside BMT and Leukemia Staff
Hi Dr. Solomon,
Today, Oct 5, marks five years since Katherine arrived at the BMT unit, and she was assigned to your care as her primary doctor.
As her father, I have thought many times to send you a personal note to say thank you. As you are also a father, you can imagine the depth of my gratitude for saving my daughter and her son. It was a package deal for sure.
Words cannot express my sincere and heartfelt appreciation. The fear I felt that Sunday morning when we arrived was very real. We heard Leukemia on that Thursday afternoon in Statesboro. Cancer was on the office door. On Friday, cancer was on the clinic sign in Savannah. Sunday, cancer was on the Northside Hospital sign. It kept getting bigger and more daunting with each day.
I was so nervous that Sunday morning, I put on what I thought was a head cover before entering the BMT unit and speaking to the nurse at the front desk. She asked if I was trying to be funny. I said no, as humor was the farthest thing on my mind. Unknown to me on my first visit, I had out the shoe cover on my head. We did not know the protocols at the time. We were just so scared.
In three consecutive days, we heard Dr. Larry Morris’ name three times. Twice from friends in the medical profession in Atlanta, and Friday from the doctor in Savannah who suggested Katherine consider terminating her pregnancy to focus on her health. When I asked the same doctor if he knew of any AML specialist who had experience with an expecting patient. He said Dr. Morris. When we heard Dr. Morris’ name the third time on Saturday, I worked the phones until someone told us if we can get Katherine to Northside by noon Sunday, she could be admitted to the BMT unit. God was answering our prayers.
You were the doctor on rotation duty that Sunday for a reason. As time passed, Katherine and Nicholas were glad they had you as her primary. You meant so much to them and to all of our family for both of her battles with AML. You still do of course. And not just you, all in the BMT unit from Stephon on up. You can read Katherine’s own words here.
As you told us about the high risk pregnancy doctor, they only have to catch the baby. Compared to what you and the BMT unit accomplished for Katherine, is truly miraculous. Statistics were against Katherine, and you said let’s just take one day at a time. So wise. Days turned into weeks then months then years, but it was all worth it of course. We are truly blessed.
Thank you Dr. Solomon for Katherine and for Michael. We would not have both without you.
Below are the two photos and message Katherine posted on Instagram this past Thursday. I thought you might like to read it. The last photo is Katherine with Michael for his first day of pre-K this year. She is Michael’s favorite parent by far, as if he knows all she endured. They value each other so much, and their time together continues to make up for the time missed in his first year.
While I truly realize not all BMT patients see year six, I hope Katherine’s story brings you comfort when needed in your most challenging days.
Also know Katherine speaks for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society when asked, help start and leads the Light the Night Walk in Statesboro, and has friended and helped others on Facebook – especially those pregnant and battling cancer. She also has met her donor in Germany through social media, and they communicate regularly using an app which translates German/English.
As I keep praying for Katherine and Michael, please know I also remember you and all on the BMT team. Prayers work. I also cannot pass Northside on 285 without remembering our time there and praying for all – staff and patients.
Peace and Godspeed,
Bayne Million (Dad and Grandad)
The 5- year survival rate for people 20 and older with AML is 25%. I’ve never looked at the statistics until now.
Sometimes it feels like yesterday and sometimes it feels like worlds ago. My scars have faded, my blood counts have normalized, and my hair has grown. Cancer is becoming a memory in my life. Something I never dreamt I would ever be able to say. Cancer has changed me, there is no doubt about that, and life after cancer is hard. In many areas of my life, I had to start over. I would not be where I am today without God, my husband, my family, my friends, my donor, and Northside Hospital. So many of you have loved me when I was far from lovable-thank you. To my Michael, thanks for saving my life five years ago today. You are my how, when, and why. Always keep your head up buddy!