WATCH ABOVE: The Edmonton mom of three-year-old twins is recovering from a stem cell transplant and could be home soon. Su-Ling Goh has the update.
EDMONTON — The past nine months have been a roller coaster for the McLash family. In August, Tammy McLash was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
But now, after several rounds of chemotherapy and a successful stem cell transplant, the mother of three-year-old twins could be back home by the end of April.
“They’ve grown so much,” Tammy told Global News. “It’s just amazing how much they’ve grown and changed since this whole thing has even started.”
The whole family was able to spend Easter together in Calgary, where Tammy is receiving treatment and follow-up care.
“It’s just been such a treasure just to have them here with us and to spend this holiday together,” she explained.
“It’s been the first holiday in a while that we’ve been able to just share together.”
READ MORE: Alberta mother battling leukemia desperately searching for stem cell match
“Kids, they change so quickly,” added her husband Mat. “Time flies. Now I don’t take anything for granted. Every moment of every day is very special.”
“We’re very lucky.”
The happy reunion began on Wednesday, when the twins arrived at the Calgary condo Tammy has been living in for four months. The condo belongs to friends of the McLash family who live a few blocks away in Edmonton.
“We didn’t know them very well before this whole thing, but we’ve become incredibly close,” said Mat. “We’re blessed with people like that who have reached out.”
Prior to the stem cell transplant, Tammy completed five rounds of chemotherapy. During that time, she was only allowed to see her children Adam and Madeline for about 30 minutes a day, at most. Tammy was in isolation for much of December, missing both Christmas and the twins’ third birthday.
In November a stem cell match was found and in January, Tammy and Mat made the trip to Calgary for her transplant.
READ MORE: Alberta mom of twins has successful stem cell transplant
Having their kids with them for an extended period of time is very special for all four members of the McLash family.
“They keep saying ‘we’re staying lots of days?’ and I’m like ‘yes, you get to stay lots of days with mommy right now.'”
“It makes you really happy,” Tammy said, her voice breaking. “I get so emotional when I think about them and being away from them. So it’s so special when I actually get to see them.”
“It makes me want to be home again.”
And, if all goes to plan, she will be by the end of April.
“It’s been a long couple of months with the transplant. It takes a real big toll on your body and it takes a lot to get back,” said Tammy. “Every day I’m getting better and better. I’m getting stronger and I’ve got these kids to get stronger for, so I work really hard at that.”
WATCH: Public response to the McLash family’s story
Tammy and Mat are also working really hard to spread the word about OneMatch and encourage others to consider becoming a stem cell donor.
“I just hope other people feel moved to join up so that other families can have a positive outcome,” said Tammy.
“Without this person I wouldn’t be here for my family.”
“If they feel it in their hearts that they want to join and help save a family, please sign up,” she added.
“We’re happy we can help share Tammy’s story to try and inspire others to work as hard as she’s worked and help as much as we’ve been helped,” added Mat. “It’s a combination of the two that get families through it.”
One day, Tammy hopes to thank her donor in person.
“I would love to contact the donor and thank that person for being so selfless and giving this gift of life to me and my family and my kids… let them know how they’ve changed my life and let me be here for my kids.”
Click here to learn more about OneMatch and stem cell donation.
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