Changed, Challenged and Thriving

BY JUDY FINE EDELSTEIN

Until I was 61 years old, I felt invincible, filled with gratitude for my family and working as a neurologist in a career that I loved. Then, the pandemic hit, and I became ill. After blood tests, I received a call asking me to proceed to the emergency department immediately. It was as if someone flipped a switch: my everyday life, suddenly, was transformed. I received a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and was gravely ill. I assumed I would never leave the hospital alive, based on what I had learned in medical school.

With “favorable” cytogenetics, I received consolidation and many cycles of induction chemotherapy, with months of hospitalizations, and complications over the first year of treatment. Nosebleeds, colitis, drug reactions, and systemic infections occurred, but I was in a deep remission. After months of recovery, I felt physically well, but I experienced almost debilitating relapse anxiety. However, I loved my work caring for patients and planned to return to work virtually.

Within days of this decision, my bloodwork indicated I had a relapse, and to survive, I required a stem cell transplant.



To read more of Judy's story, click here

To register, click here:

Lunch & Learn

with the LINK

A Telephone Support CALL IN Program for Patients,

Families/Caregivers/Loved Ones

Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome (BOS):

Let’s Learn More about this cGVHD Complication

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Noon to 1 pm EST

This month’s call-in program will feature Melissa Baker, DNP, Adult Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program at Hackensack Meridian Health, who will educate and empower listeners about Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome (BOS). Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome is a serious, increasingly recognized complication after stem cell transplant. Affecting 5-6% of all allogeneic transplant recipients and up to 15% of those with chronic GVHD, BOS involves fibrosis of the small airways, leading to obstructive lung disease. Melissa will cover risk factors, screening, diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, management, prognosis and supportive care. Meredith Cowden, a survivor from Cleveland who has dealt with chronic GVHD for more than two decades, will share her story and how she has manages BOS post-transplant. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker will host this call. There will be plenty of time for questions.

If you have any technical issues related to registering, please email peggyburkhard@nbmtlink.org or call (248) 770-5172. The call-in information is contained in the form you use to register. Note: YOU call in to participate. (We do not call you.) This program is recorded and transcribed and available on our website within one week after airing live. (www.nbmtlink.org)

This FREE program is intended to provide psychosocial and emotional support along with health information from national experts regarding critical topics surrounding cancer and treatments.

To ask a question during the Q & A portion of this program, once the operator says the lines have been opened, hit the star key on your phone and then the number 1. Please address yourself when asking a question in the best way to protect your identity if desired.

To register for free, click here::

We Thank Our Sponsors:

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation, Incyte and Johnson & Johnson.

We also thank our Esteemed Link Partners, listed at the end of this newsletter.

"The Book of Alchemy"

A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life

By Suleika Jaouad

NY Times Bestselling Author of "Between Two Kingdoms"

Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025

2:00 to 3:30 pm EST

To register for free, click here:

In "The Book of Alchemy", Suleika explores the art of journaling and shares everything she’s learned about how this life-altering practice can help us tap into that mystical trait that exists in every human: creativity. She has gathered wisdom from one hundred writers, artists, and thinkers in the form of essays and writing prompts. Their insights invite us to inhabit a more inspired life. (as seen in Goodreads)

Those who register and confirm their attendance with an email will receive a book in the mail sometime in July, allowing plenty of time to read and prepare for book club.

Zoom Format- credentials to be sent to confirmed participants in advance. If you do not hear back, you will be on the wait list for another Book Club. PLEASE BE SURE TO RESPOND TO THE EMAIL INVITING YOU ASAP TO SECURE Y0UR SPOT. TY! 

 If you have any questions, please email peggyburkhard@nbmtlink.org. We are very excited to offer this program.

Sponsored by Incyte and our Link Partners, listed at the bottom of this newsletter.

The Meredith Cowden Foundation proudly presents their 2026 Symposium.

See below for details:

To register for this free symposium, please click here