Bernie Ketterl always enjoyed helping others by regularly donating blood. He didn’t realize that this simple act of kindness would also help save his life. 

Nearly a year ago, Bernie discovered that something was amiss when he went to donate and was told his platelet count wasn’t high enough. Thinking this was a good time for a physical anyway, further testing confirmed a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia, or AML, a fast-progressing blood cancer.

“I’ve been a platelet donor for many years,” says Bernie. “I’ve donated close to 75 gallons in my lifetime. Then suddenly, my doctor advised me to talk to an oncologist. I had no symptoms, so it really took me by surprise.”

“AML is a common blood cancer, particularly in older adults,” says hematologist and medical oncologist Vijaya Bhatt, MBBS. “Some people have symptoms and get very sick while others, like Bernie, are surprised to discover it after a routine blood test.” 

Bernie and his wife Laurie (a retired nurse) have been married for 48 years and have three adult children: Crystal, Blake and Tyler. Tyler, a pediatric oncologist at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital, reviewed Bernie’s bloodwork and knew immediately where his dad needed to go. Having attended UNMC for medical school and participated in cancer research, Tyler contacted his mentor and friend, pediatric oncologist Don Coulter, MD, who recommended Dr. Bhatt at the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.

“My time at UNMC inspired me to become an oncologist,” recalls Tyler. “It was comforting to me in all the uncertainty to speak to so many compassionate people and see what an amazing resource the cancer center has become for the community. Reaching out to old friends and colleagues during my dad’s diagnosis and seeing him receive such swift attention was such a comfort.”

Just three days later, Bernie had a bone marrow biopsy. The AML diagnosis was confirmed the next day. “I first saw Bernie in the clinic, and at the time, it was unclear whether he had AML or another kind of blood cancer,” says Dr. Bhatt. “The results came back quickly, and we were able to admit him to the hospital to begin chemotherapy.”

Coincidentally, the family was together to celebrate daughter Crystal’s induction into the Nebraska Athletic Training Association Hall of Fame. When Bernie and Laurie consulted with Dr. Bhatt and treatment began, having their family by their side provided much-needed support.

The care team quickly began seeking out possible donors for a bone marrow transplant. “We were connected to the care team early on, and the doctors and nurse practitioners had already helped us get squared away with a lot of resources to help set us up for success,” says Tyler. “They worked with us to get things in place even before we thought to ask, were invested in how we were doing, and ensured they covered all the bases. We immediately went to the inpatient unit and were impressed with how kind and caring everybody was.”

“Everyone made us feel like family,” Laurie adds. “It's like they already knew what we were going to need and already had it in process before we even knew what to ask.”

Following his first cycle of chemotherapy, Bernie’s leukemia was no longer detectable in his blood or bone marrow. He underwent a second cycle of chemotherapy while his bone marrow donor was confirmed. After reduced-intensity conditioning chemotherapy, Bernie received his stem cell transplant on Sept. 11. After responding well to all the treatments, he was discharged 15 days later, with the whole inpatient process taking about 22 days.

“A decade ago, there were limited treatment options for patients with AML,” says Dr. Bhatt. “But in the last seven years or so, we’ve had about a dozen new drugs approved for AML, increasing the chance of remission with fewer complications.” 

To prevent graft-versus-host disease, Bernie received a newer preventive regimen after the transplant that included chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide. “We’re grateful for the combination treatment,” adds Tyler. “We’re very grateful for Dad to be in remission, and to still have no evidence of cancer at his most recent bone marrow test.”

Bernie was calm because he knew he was in good hands. “I want to thank Dr. Bhatt for everything he did for me. He knew what he was doing; I could ask him anything and never felt like any question was dumb. Transplant nurse practitioner Katherine Byar and geriatrician Thuy Koll, MD, were also excellent. Everyone from the bone marrow biopsy to the support staff did a fantastic job.”

“We also want to thank Neena Kudirka, the first nurse Bernie had starting chemo,” adds Laurie. “Being a NICU nurse, I know how important central lines are. When I watched them, everyone knew exactly what they had to do, and they did it every single time. We never worried about his care. There were a few rough days that they warned us would happen, but their response was immediate,” says Laurie. “There were also nurses Hannah Warren, Hannah Kathol, and Claire Gilman, who were so good, and who can forget Jay Juaquin, the housekeeper! What a joy he was, always calling everyone by name and eager to ensure everything in the room was perfect.” 

While Bernie was in the hospital, he took full advantage of the walking program as motivation to get out and exercise. Cheered on by family and staff, his every milestone was celebrated along the way.

Fortunately, the family remained in Omaha for the duration, so they were always nearby. “Being on alert all the time, it was nice to feel like we could call anytime, and they never made us feel bad about it. Handling all the medications was daunting, but case manager Lauren Croy was helpful and prompt with communication and helping us establish a routine.”

Even after discharge, the family stayed in Omaha for follow-up care. “After a transplant, we typically see a patient twice a week for the first 100 days afterwards,” says Dr. Bhatt. “Bernie did that for the first two months after discharge, with visits lessening in time. His family’s medical background certainly was helpful in the process, and being in good health going into the transplant made a big difference.”

As Bernie approaches his one-year anniversary, he feels good and continues to work on getting his strength back through the Livestrong program. He goes to the YMCA and is now back to enjoying life and spending time on his woodworking hobby.

To help others, Bernie joined several academic studies to help researchers understand people's health and well-being at diagnosis and how that changes over time. He participated in detailed health assessments before, during and after treatment that focused on multiple aspects of his health such as physical, cognitive and nutritional health. The information gathered helps to provide supportive care throughout a patient’s cancer journey.

If someone finds themselves in a similar situation, Bernie has one piece of advice: “Don’t put off getting your regular physicals. This is how we knew something was wrong.”

The Nebraska Medicine Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center brings together scientists and clinicians to evaluate and design new treatment options. With a multidisciplinary team of leukemia experts, including oncologists, specialists in diagnosis and infection, and a wider support team to optimize patient health, Nebraska Medicine offers specialized and personalized care that makes a difference for patients with leukemia.