May 12, 2000

Tears come to Hatice Akdeniz's eyes as she remembers her previous experience at the MGH when she was diagnosed with leukemia in 1994. Now, after many chemotherapy treatments and follow-up visits, she is in long-term remission and came back to the hospital this month for a much happier occasion — the birth of her daughter.

"I am so happy to be here this time," says Akdeniz. "I never thought I would be able to have a baby because of all of my chemotherapy treatments, but here I am."

Akdeniz was only 25 years old when she was first diagnosed with leukemia in November of 1994. Recently married, she had just returned to the United States from her native country of Turkey to set up a new home in Methuen for herself and her husband Huseyin, who remained in Turkey for a few months to complete his military service.

Hatice and Selin Akdeniz, right, with one of her nurses
on Blake 13, Judi Robichaud, RN

Akdeniz suffered from cold-like symptoms for several months before she finally sought treatment at the MGH. After several tests, Akdeniz was diagnosed with myelogenous leukemia and was referred to Michael Seiden, MD, now of the MGH Gillette Center for Women's Cancers.

With no family history of the disease, Akdeniz was shocked by the diagnosis. She underwent rigorous chemotherapy treatments for five months. Seiden describes Akdeniz as being very brave throughout the ordeal. "In the uncertain world of a chemotherapy floor, she faced the unpleasantness of her treatment with a smile and never complained."

Seiden says that the high doses of chemotherapy used to treat Akdeniz's leukemia often can result in sterility, so the possibility of her getting pregnant in the future was uncertain.

Erika Rosato, RN, Akdeniz's former oncology nurse and now a program director at the Spaulding Mass Eye and Ear Unit, remembers that Akdeniz was very concerned about the effect of the chemotherapy on her chances of having a family some day. "Hatice understood she needed to have the chemotherapy," she says. "But we never gave up hope that someday she would be blessed with a baby — even though the odds were against her."

Fortunately, the chemotherapy worked, and the leukemia went into remission. Akdeniz continues to come to the MGH for follow-up visits to ensure the disease does not return.

When the couple decided to try to start a family last year, they once again turned to the MGH for help. Akdeniz went through fertility treatment under the care of Janet Hall, MD, of the MGH Reproductive Endocrine Unit.

According to Hall, the chemotherapy had not destroyed Akdeniz's ovaries, and she responded to treatment. "Hatice was so clear in her desire to have a child, so positive that Dr. Seiden would give her the go-ahead and so sure that it would all work out," says Hall. "And she was right."

Robert Blatman, MD, of the MGH Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, followed Akdeniz closely throughout her pregnancy and kept in close communication with Seiden to make sure the pregnancy went smoothly, considering Akdeniz's medical history.

On May 4, Selin Akdeniz arrived at a healthy 10 pounds, 1 ounce, delivered by caesarean section. "She is the first baby in my family, so everyone is so excited about her," she says. "She has changed my life."

Rosato visited Akdeniz and her new bundle of joy while she was on Blake 13. "For Hatice and Huseyin, the treatments were worth it because not only is she healthy and in complete remission, but they have a beautiful baby — the greatest gift of all," she says. "It is so uplifting for an oncology nurse like myself to witness something as unexpected and beautiful as this."

Seiden adds: "Hatice has accomplished more in five years than many of us accomplish in a lifetime. She has a lot of pride, and I predict that she has a lot of happiness and health ahead of her."