Medlen, veteran Tour caddie for Nick Price, will continue a nationwide search for compatible bone marrow. Doctors hope to try another transplant in about a year after Medlen's white cell count improves and he regains strength through time and treatment, said Tiffany Reddick, a Nick Price Group representative. It is not uncommon for CML patients to undergo two or three transplants, she said. OSU Hospital officials, at Medlen's request, did not provide public information about his condition. He's in no immediate danger.
Doctors are still positive.
They wouldn't have plans to try it again if he's not OK now. Medlen was diagnosed with CML, a treatable clonal stem-cell disorder, in early July. A bone marrow transplant is the only curative treatment presently available for patients with CML, an acquired disorder of unknown origin, Harrison's said. Because his brother's marrow didn't match in tests and his mother's didn't take, Medlen again will seek an unrelated compatible donor from a national registry. The success rate isn't considered as high for CML patients who receive bone marrow from non-siblings.