Murelle Plotner always has a positive attitude.
“She’s going to have a smile on her face and a giggle in her voice no matter what,” said St. Joseph-Ogden Cross Country Coach Jason Retz about his former team member. “She has the ability to brighten anyone’s day.”
That positive attitude has come in handy as the St. Joseph-Ogden graduate has been facing yet another challenge.
Plotner beat myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare blood cancer. She has had several bone marrow transplants, one of which caused her to miss her eighth-grade graduation. A double lung transplant kept her from her high school graduation.
Retz said Plotner is a warrior.
“Going into battle for her may be scary but she never shows it,” he said. “She knows it is just something that has to be done.”
Retz described Plotner as stubborn and hard headed.
“But in a good way,” he said. “I’m astonished how she has the ability to continue to move forward when things aren’t going well. I think it’s a credit to her stubbornness.”
After her lung transplant, she returned home to St. Joseph and things were looking up.
However earlier this year, her health took a set back and she had to have another bone marrow transplant. Her latest challenge will find her away from home until February 2019.
She recently had to have four surgeries. She was also given the last of her donor’s stem cells. Doctors are currently looking for another donor in case this transplant fails. After that transplant, Plotner will have to stay in St. Louis at the Children’s Hospital for 100 days.
Family friend Mary Derenne said that Plotner will continue to face her health challenges bravely.
“She never lets go of what is ahead,” Derenne said. “Better days.”
Derenne said she thinks prayers from the community, visitors, a great staff at the hospital, supportive coaches and her mother Chantell keep her positive and strong.
Plotner’s third-grade teacher Tammie Mabry agreed.
“Murelle had a spunk to her in third grade before any of this ever saw this coming,” Mabry said. “It’s like she came with a little extra life to her and at that time we didn’t know why but maybe that’s what kept her going like she has.”
If anyone is interested in becoming a bone marrow donor they can visit https://bethematch.org.
Her mother, Chantell Plotner said that Murelle would love some prayers, cards and well wishes.
Cards can be mailed to
St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Murelle Plotner
Room 9108
1 Children’s Place
St. Louis, Mo. 63110
