More great news from Phil Leadbetter

The positive reports just keep on coming from Phil Leadbetter, now more than 18 months into treatment for Hodgkins Lymphoma, a cancer of the white blood cells and lymphatic system.

After finding little success with chemo and radiation therapy, Phil was recently approved for a stem cell transplant. This procedure involves essentially killing off the patient’s immune system in advance of the transplant, which returns healthy cells harvested previously from the patient, in hopes of stimulating healthy blood or bone marrow growth.

We caught up with Leadbetter at the hospital this afternoon, where he is recovering from this arduous process. He shared a few words about this past two weeks.

“I am doing much better today, but have really been sick this time. I checked in on September 6 to the stem cell program here at Thompson Cancer Survival Center. I was immediately hit with massive doses of chemo…..none like I’ve ever had before. My stem cells were transplanted on the 10th, and my blood counts have been terrible for at last 10 days. I’ve not had enough energy to drink from a straw or keep my eyes open. In the last couple of days, my counts have started to recover, and this morning (9/21), the doctor came in and said my blood counts have taken off like crazy, and stated that the stem cell transplant has been effective. Hoping to discharge on Monday (9/24) with alot of recovery ahead.

Medicine has really moved forward. I have been very lucky and blessed to have the care and the opportunity I have been given.”

Phil has been a popular figure in bluegrass for some time, having spent many years with J.D. Crowe & the New South, Wildfire, Grasstowne and The Whites.

I’m sure that all of our readers join us in wishing him a complete and speedy recovery.

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About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.