A "second birthday" at 21: A lifesaving gift turned into a legacy of hope
In 2008, at just 21-years-old, Monica M. was living an ordinary young adult life when unusual symptoms began to appear. She was exhausted all the time, coming home from work only to sleep until the morning. Her hands shook with constant tremors, and she started losing weight without trying. The weight loss might have seemed like a silver lining, but when it was joined by fainting spells, Monica knew something was seriously wrong.
After visiting the doctor for tests, she was given a diagnosis that would reshape her life: leukemia. A type of blood cancer, leukemia affects the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow and lymphatic system. Within weeks, her treatment plan with the Colorado Blood Cancer Institute (CBCI) at HCA HealthONE Presbyterian St. Luke’s was underway with chemotherapy and the news that she would need a bone marrow transplant.
With two siblings, there was a chance that one would be a match for Monica. Testing revealed that her younger brother, Rey, who was just 17 at the time, was a 100% match. It was a blessing, especially because, as a Hispanic woman, Monica’s chances of finding a match on the national registry would have been much lower.
Rey had been confident from the start. “I’m going to be your match,” he told her. When the results came in, he grinned and said, “Told you so.”
Preparing for transplant meant more rounds of chemo and radiation for Monica, which led to painful mouth sores that made it impossible to eat for days. For Rey, the process was simpler, he had daily shots to stimulate marrow production, followed by several hours in the infusion chair while a machine separated the life-saving cells from his blood.
August 28, 2008, was Monica’s ‘second birthday’ — the day the transplant took place. Her parents, younger sister and grandparents all gathered around her hospital bed. “The moment the cells went in, there was a sensation, like ants crawling,” she remembered. But she knew her best chance for healing had begun. The first 100 days after transplant were the most critical, and Monica was fortunate not to experience immediate rejection.
About a year later, however, she began to show signs of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a complication in which the donor’s immune cells attack the recipient’s body. Her skin thickened, becoming tight and inflexible, especially around her abdomen. This made it hard to bend or move comfortably. When her insurance changed, delays in care allowed the GVHD to progress. Eventually, Monica switched jobs to regain access to her original care team at CBCI and her longtime physician, Dr. Michael Maris.
GVHD has been part of her life ever since, but treatments, most recently an infusion therapy that is showing promising results, have helped. “It’s frustrating,” she admits, “because I know it could have been avoided with the right care at the right time. But at the end of the day, I’m blessed I’m still here.”
Family support was key in her recovery. Her parents rotated shifts at the hospital, so she was never alone. Her father came after work, her mother spent the nights, and her grandparents stepped in to help fill in the gaps. “It wasn’t just me going through it,” she said. “My family went through it too.”
She and Rey remain close to this day. They even bought a house together after her recovery, living as roommates for several years until she and her husband purchased a home. For her 15-year “transplant anniversary,” Monica finally paid a long-standing “debt” to Rey. It wasn’t the PlayStation he once jokingly demanded as thanks, but something better: a two-week trip together to Italy.
That same spirit of gratitude and wanting to give back also carried into her professional life, ultimately inspiring her career path. “One of the reasons I became a financial advisor,” she explains, “is because of what my family went through. My parents weren’t financially prepared for this. We were lucky to have insurance but still had to fundraise for medications. I want to help people prepare for the unexpected because you never know when you might need it.” She also encourages her clients to consider life insurance. “It’s uncomfortable to think about, but it gives peace of mind knowing your loved ones wouldn’t face a financial burden.”
Her message for anyone facing a new diagnosis is simple: find a strong support system and maintain a positive mindset. “Even though the situation is never fun, having a reason to fight—maybe it’s your kids, your spouse, or your family, that’s what makes a difference,” she says. She also urges minorities to join the donor registry. “It’s just a cheek swab, and you might not be a match for the person you sign up for, but you could save someone else’s life. There’s someone out there waiting.”
For Monica, life after cancer is filled with gratitude for her family, for Rey’s gift of life, for her second chance. “I can’t thank him enough,” she says. “But maybe, with this life I’ve been given, I can pay it forward.”
Cancer care in Denver
When you need compassionate cancer care, we're always here for you. At HCA HealthONE hospitals, we provide comprehensive, compassionate cancer care programs. Our specialized teams of cancer doctors (oncologists) work together with many other specialists. They provide you with an individualized care plan that can include both nonsurgical and surgical treatments.
Colorado Blood Cancer Institute (CBCI) at HCA HealthONE Presbyterian St. Luke’s, is part of the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center. Our goal is to provide individual, innovative cancer services. Our care teams work individually with you to schedule consultations with specialists — such as surgeons, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists. Have cancer questions? We can help. askSARAH is a dedicated helpline for your cancer-related questions. Our specially trained nurses are available 24/7, and all calls are confidential. Contact askSARAH at (303) 253-3225.