Rob Stafford’s treatment for a rare blood disorder isn’t over yet, but the beloved evening NBC 5 anchor announced Thursday he plans to return to work by the end of the summer.
After his 100-day check-up, test results revealed Stafford made progress, but he will need to undergo follow-up chemo at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
The treatment will be a milder form of chemotherapy than he has had in recent months, which Stafford says should allow him to return to work at the end of August.
“My wife Lisa and I can't thank you enough for your support and prayers,” Stafford wrote in a Facebook update Thursday. “My friends at NBC have had my back every step of the way. Dick Johnson is the hardest working man in TV. Thanks for covering for me DJ!”
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Stafford returned to Mayo Clinic for testing earlier this week more than three months after undergoing a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy at the facility.
“I have more support than any person deserves," he said last month. "It is humbling and almost embarrassing a little, but it makes you feel really good, and things are going good.”
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Doctors used Rob's own stem cells for the transplant before he underwent chemotherapy. He told his co-anchor Allison Rosati he had stomach issues along the way and lost a lot of weight. He has since gained quite a bit of it back.
Rob said people have reached out to him on Facebook and Twitter, sent gifts and sent their prayers. And of course they're wearing #StaffordStrong bracelets.
His first round of the new treatment begins Friday.
Stafford ended his latest post with a powerful message: “Fight on.”