The life story of Amirhossein, when his brother turned the hardest moments into the sweetest memories — let’s read together in an interview with his father.
Tell us about your life and your children.
I have four children: one daughter and three sons. My daughter is currently a student of health sciences in Hormozgan province.
Alireza is in the first year of high school, and Amirhossein is 12 years old. Mohammad Taha is now 20 months old.
When Amirhossein was 4 years old, he fell ill, and after many visits and follow-ups, it was diagnosed that he had type 2 ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia). After testing his older brother and sister, it was found that their bone marrow was not compatible with Amirhossein.
Dr. Karimi suggested a cord blood transplant, but since there was no matching sample for him in the country’s banks, we decided to have another child and use his cord blood for Amirhossein’s transplant. This was a big risk, but by God’s grace, Mohammad Taha’s cord blood was compatible with Amirhossein.
Tell us about Amirhossein’s illness.
In Farvardin 1386 (March-April 2007), Amirhossein was diagnosed. Initially, they said the treatment period was three months and it would certainly be completed with medication. The medications were stopped in Khordad 1388 (May-June 2009), but in Mehr 1388 (September-October 2009) the illness relapsed. From Mehr 1388 to Khordad 1391 (June 2012), treatment was resumed. Medications were stopped again in Khordad, but in Bahman (January-February 2013), the disease’s symptoms returned. A transplant committee in Shiraz held a session and decided the only treatment was from cord blood, so we decided to have another child.
After Mohammad Taha’s birth and freezing of his cord blood, doctors in Shiraz told us that, considering our situation, it was better to go to Tehran for the transplant. Because the cord blood was stored in Tehran, and transferring it to Shiraz might have caused delays due to flights and endangered the operation.
How was the treatment process?
Since the transplant was going to be done with cord blood, and because Amirhossein’s weight was high, there was a possibility of insufficient cells. Therefore, they took bone marrow tests from Mohammad Taha twice: once to check compatibility, and again to ensure Mohammad Taha’s full health.
Who suggested storing the cord blood?
I had no information about treatment with cord blood. The doctors in Shiraz guided me. After following up, I found out Royan does cord blood stem cell storage. I went to the Shiraz office of this center, and after signing the contract, Mohammad Taha’s cord blood was stored.
What was Dr. Hamidieh’s opinion about the cord blood transplant?
From the beginning, after learning about the incompatibility of Amirhossein’s siblings’ bone marrow, Dr. Hamidieh insisted on transplanting from cord blood stem cells. But later, because Amirhossein’s weight had increased and the cord blood cell count was less than needed, the missing cells were supplemented from Mohammad Taha’s bone marrow.
Since Mordad 1392 (August 2013), after coming to Tehran, we performed various tests and consultations to prepare for the transplant.
Last year in Dey (December 2013 - January 2014), the transplant was scheduled, but due to financial conditions, we couldn’t proceed at that time. Also, because it was winter, we preferred to do it in spring 1393 (2014). But after the new year, when I visited, Dr. Hamidieh said all tests had expired and we had to start over. We resumed tests and consultations from Khordad 1393 (June 2014), but there was no empty bed.
Finally, I came to Tehran in Aban 1393 (November 2014), was admitted on 5 Azar (26 November), and prepared for the transplant. On 16 Azar (7 December), the bone marrow stem cells were injected, and on 17 Azar (8 December), the cord blood stem cells were injected.
My only comfort during this time was that I did everything in my power without neglect. I am at peace with my conscience. Whatever the outcome, I am satisfied.
How much did the transplant cost?
In total, about 10 million tomans were spent on Amirhossein’s transplant and treatment.