Brent Rutemiller to Have Lifesaving Stem Cell Transplant
Brent Rutemiller, CEO of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and Publisher of Swimming World Magazine was diagnosed in June of 2021 with a rare and aggressive cancer in his bone marrow – Plasma Cell Leukemia; Multiple Myeloma. After 41 straight weeks of chemotherapy treatments, Rutemiller is now scheduled for a stem cell transplant on Friday, March 18 at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona.
“I’m shaved and tapered. This is my Olympic moment. I have been training daily to get to this point. I have prayed and visualized a successful outcome from day 1,” said Rutemiller in an email to his Board of Directors and staff.
The doctors have been pushing poisons into Rutemiller every week to kill the cancer and he has been pushing those poisons out every day either through swimming, hiking or simply walking. Mayo got the cancer down low enough to harvest 11 million stem cells from his bone marrow two weeks ago.
The goal now is to hit him hard with a final blast of chemo that will wipe out his marrow and then, two days later, infuse him with 5 million of his own stem cells. Those stem cells are expected to seat themselves in his bone marrow and start producing cancer free red, white, and plasma cells. The remaining stem cells will be frozen in case a second stem cell transplant is required in the future.
“I wouldn’t be honest if I did not say that it will be a tough two weeks. I need to be isolated, but I welcome text or Facebook messages. I will be vulnerable to infection and will probably experience multiple side effects. My hope is that I will be back to work on April 1st. (Oh, on second thought … maybe April Fool’s Day is not the best day to start back.).
“I want to thank everyone including my wife and family for their prayers and support, and especially those who joined Rutemiller’s Army,” Rutemiller concluded in his email.
Brent is one of the most courageous, inspiring, optimistic, and goodhearted people I have ever known. His indefatigable spirit in the face of his challenges is incredible, and his daily steps towards victory are being shared by legions of his friends, family, and fans. What he has done for the world of swimming is immeasurable. Keeping him and his family in our prayers is a small repayment for what he has given us. KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
Ditto
Good words and thoughts Dana Grand lots of prayers for you as you take on another challenging moment and your life.KAiou
Bremt- prayers for you KA
Brent, prayers up for all involved with your care and for my first backstroke hero’s cure and recovery.