Stories of Hope
To better understand the impact of bone marrow failure, we present stories told by the patients, parents, family members, and spouses who are living with these illnesses. Our entire community benefits from the insightful stories patients and family members share with us about their personal journeys.
Kirby Harness
Surfer grounded by PNH Treatment but Thriving!
I was diagnosed with PNH fifteen years ago, at the age of 51. This is my story.
I grew up on the West Side of Los Angeles. Raised by a single parent, my mother was a strong woman of faith. My father, the eldest of twelve, died of a heart attack when I was about nine months old. Four of his six brothers, and a couple of my cousins died at an early age. My mother always said, “those Harness men have bad blood.” Little did I know what she meant at the time.
Aside from the scholastic team...
Stefania Erazo
Fighting for a Transplant : Stefania conquers Aplastic Anemia and PNH ~ Stefania demuestra su VERDADERA fuerza
Hi! My name is Stefania, I am 31 years old, and I am from Ecuador. My life changed in July 2018 when I was diagnosed with very severe aplastic anemia. I had symptoms for 5 months but I ignored them due to my schedule --- I worked two jobs and I was finishing university. One day I decided to have a CBC (Complete Blood Count), but I was surprised when they called me to go to the hospital emergency room. My general doctor (who is an internist) immediately called the person who became my...
Joshua Maliczowski
Update for Josh: A Change in Treatment is only a Little Unsettling
2021 Treatment update
I am still taking the medication ultomiris, however, in late 2020 I was notified by Alexion (the drug company that makes ultomiris) that the concentration of ultomiris would be changing in 2021. By sometime in 2021 the original concentration of ultomiris will be phased out and will no longer available. The new concentration I would begin getting is 100mg/ml formulation. This new concentration is infused at a different rate and actually cuts down my infusion time to about...
Kristy Maliczowski
We Made It! – Kristy Shares her Perspective in January 2021
We made it to another treatment day without anyone in our family getting sick! The week leading to treatment day has become pretty worrisome for me. What if someone in our family gets sick with or is exposed to COVID? Josh will not be able to get his infusion within the treatment window and then what? The questions I never thought I'd have to wonder about. I used to dread treatment day because it was a reminder that Josh has Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH), but today I celebrate that...
Marianna De Leon
Severe Aplastic Anemia and PNH Diagnoses Came out of Nowhere - Marianna's Story
As a typical community college student, Mariana was busy. Classes, studying, day trips, all were part of her life. Yet during one shower, she dropped to the floor, suddenly dizzy. A few weeks later she would be out of breath, with unusual bruises on her skin.
At the end of the semester, she fainted in the grocery store while on vacation. Her parents dropped everything to drive the miles in a hurry, returning to an appointment with her family physician. Not yet diagnosed, she went to the first...
Joshua Maliczowski
PNH - Traveling with a Rare Disease - Update from Josh
Traveling with a rare disease
Traveling as a rare disease patient starts long before the booking of tickets. It starts in the physician’s office where travel is planned around treatment regimen. My wife and I recommend that rare disease patients work closely with their physicians before planning travel to ensure that the patient is healthy enough to travel. Reviewing travel with a physician is important because changing altitudes, sitting for prolonged periods of time,...
Joshua Maliczowski
Undiagnosed for Years, Josh Finally Finds both a Diagnosis and a Treatment!
My diagnosis with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) was a lot to handle, as is any diagnosis of any kind. I could talk forever in circles about the experience of my diagnosis and how it changed everything for me. For the beginning of my story, I will specifically focus on my medical diagnosis of PNH.
Here are the symptoms I was showing before my diagnosis: I was exhausted, all the time. I could not do any athletic activity without being incredibly shaky for hours after, sometimes...
Jocelyn Boyer
“Everything is going to be okay:” Jocelyn’s Story of Aplastic Anemia, PNH, and Survivorship
Before diagnosis, Jocelyn’s life was normal, predictable. She was thriving her senior year in college, studying Public Relations. In 2008, she was working, volunteering, attending classes---all the normal activities for a 20-year-old.
But one day that changed. Extreme fatigue set in, making it difficult to walk a single flight of stairs. At first, she dismissed the fatigue to her rigorous schedule.
One Friday evening, the symptoms intensified. Jocelyn went to a local store’s grand opening...
Sarah Nesheim
Young Minnesotan Opens Up About Dual Diagnosis and Emphasizes Emotional Wellness
My Diagnosis
In the summer of 2014 I noticed ongoing bruising all over my body. At first, I thought it might have to do with my diet (low iron), but soon I noticed a new kind of mark on my skin, almost having a bulls-eye appearance. By end of summer I knew I had to do something about this.
I went to my primary care doctor who ran a CBC (complete blood count). The office called back right away saying all my blood counts were extremely low, which came as quite a shock. I was...
Brandi Lewis
I'm Like You: Brandi Lewis
Brandi was hooked on acting from the time she was three and played a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz. She eventually sidelined her first love to study political science at the University of Northern Alabama.
In 2011, she made history there as the first black Miss UNA. Her next coveted role was as a college intern on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. But by far, the hardest part she ever had to undertake was that of a bone marrow failure patient.
“I have PNH. I was previously diagnosed with...