Robin Roberts has reached a crucial juncture in her treatment for MDS, the rare blood disease that will keep her off “Good Morning America” for a while.
Roberts, 51, underwent a bone-marrow transplant 11 days ago and is now in medical isolation to protect her against infection.
“Playing fun songs in isolation: Can’t Touch That. Others?” she tweeted yesterday.
“I’m doing well, receiving excellent care. Now we wait . . . and pray.”
The next five days will be indicative of how Roberts is reacting to the treatment, says Dr. Andrew Pecora, vice president of cancer services at Hackensack University Medical Center.
“She’s in a time frame now where the stem cells from the donor start to grow in. The earliest is 10 days and it could take up to 15 days,” Pecora says. Roberts’ donor was her sister, Sally — which gives her a big advantage, Pecora says.
“This is the crucial time to see whether the stem cells grow in or not,” he says. “The greatest likelihood is that her sister’s stem cells will grow in. There’s much less worry when it’s a related donor.
“This is the first major step,” he says. “Once the cells grow in, she’s overcome the first set of hurdles.”
Roberts’ doctors have visited “GMA” to discuss her treatment. There are no plans for them to return at present, “but that could change,” a show spokeswoman said.