Skip to contents
In This Issue:
BWH Bulletin's year-end issue is a time to highlight BWHers' proudest moments from the past year. We asked you to share one BWH-related memory from 2014 that was meaningful to you, and you offered touching stories about colleagues, patients, families, events and milestones that inspired you. We hope you enjoy these moments.
At the Intersection of Pioneering Work, Intellect and Compassionate Care
My shining moment in 2014 has roots that reach back 35 years ago to Nov. 23, 1979, the day I received an experimental bone marrow transplant at Peter Bent Brigham; the moment that saved my life.
Once fully recovered, I was able to go on to graduate school, fall in love, marry, raise a child, publish books and return to BWH this spring as a senior proposal writer in Development. My transplant was from my brother (pictured together), who was a perfect match, and it cured me of rare and potentially fatal diseases. I had no other medical options except for this innovative treatment that my Brigham doctor offered to me. The odds were a 50 percent chance for survival with a transplant and 15 percent chance without one. I decided to go for it.
For three months, I lived in a laminar air flow room in the old Peter Bent Brigham. During that time, I spent many long days and late nights talking to my doctors and nurses, my psychologist, my nutritionist, the cleaning staff, the volunteers-the nearly 100 people who watched over me. The week before I went home, I walked those long corridors in my pajamas and slippers-with glee. Dare I say that I am truly a product of the pioneering work, intellectual prowess and compassionate care that defines the Brigham? Absolutely. So, it is with great pride and gratitude that I write about this shining moment that informs who I am today.
JESSICA KEENER
Senior Proposal Writer, Development