Bone Marrow Failure - Courage for Cory
Donation protected
My name is Jennifer Polak and I'm starting this Go Fund Me for my brother in law Cory Deaton and his family.
Courage for Cory - We will Fight Bone Marrow Failure!
Up until three months ago, Cory was living a relatively healthy normal life - taking care of himself, eating right and exercising a few days a week. Cory, husband of 17 years to my sister Julia, father of two, had been working as a Correctional Officer at a Minnesota state prison for the last 7 years.
In February 2021, Cory started experiencing odd symptoms. After working out, he began noticing a skin rash and broken blood vessels. Random bruising began to occur that took longer than normal to heal, then unexplained nosebleeds.
It was March 9th that Cory's gums bled for 2 hours without resolving when he decided to visit Urgent Care that evening. At the clinic they were not able to detect any platelets, so he was taken via ambulance to Region's Hospital in St. Paul, MN where they discovered he had only 2K platelets in his body (normal is 150-350K) and was subsequently admitted to the Cancer Unit.
Since then, he has had two bone marrow biopsies, three hospital admissions, and more platelet and blood transfusions than we can keep track of. He’s been going to the hospital three times a week since March when this first began. 2 out of the 3 weekly visits he requires either blood or platelet transfusions. Cory is on many prescriptions, including Cyclosporine, and there is a concern that it could cause strain and damage to his liver and kidney function.
On April 21st, Cory received the diagnosis of Severe Aplastic Anemia. Only 600-900 people annually receive this diagnosis in the United States. It’s a very rare life threatening disease as it is Bone Marrow Failure. Even more rare is that he received this diagnosis at such a young age of 40.
On April 22nd he was admitted to the hospital for the next course of treatment as the prescriptions weren’t working as Cory's Hematology and Oncology Team had hoped. He had a port placed in his chest and received four days of ATGAM chemotherapy which was very hard on his body, in hopes that it would reset his immune system and stop his body from destroying his platelets.
On May 2nd Cory's gums began bleeding again. He was admitted to the hospital with only 1K platelets and needed yet another transfusion. Every week, Cory travels to Region Hospital in St. Paul for his Monday, Wednesday and Friday medical appointments. Some days he is at the hospital for 6-8 hours at a time as he often has to wait for platelets to become available.
We are anxiously awaiting the next steps which likely may include a bone marrow transplant. The ATGAM treatment, if successful, usually takes 4-6 weeks before the results are known. Every day we are praying for some sign of improvement. Any sign of remission would be miraculous and is what we are hoping for!
During this time, Cory would love to continue to work; however there are too many safety risks involved with working, especially at a prison. In fact, because Cory 's platelets are always very low, he must be extra careful with any activities that may cause injury.
Donations raised from this platform will allow Cory to take the time he needs to heal and hopefully go into remission, without worrying financially. Hospital bills from treatment are coming in and short term disability leaves very little left over and is not enough. Donations will be allocated between him taking time off of work to help cover living costs, pharmaceutical expenses, medical treatments, second/third opinions, testing, hospital admissions, and possibly a Bone Marrow Transplant.
Throughout this process, Cory has remained positive and hopeful. He is spending additional time with his family and loved ones. Thank you for joining Cory's support team! Please keep him and his family in your prayers. I will be sure to post updates throughout his treatment.
#courageforcory #wewillfight #severeaplasticanemia #saa #bonemarrowfailure #atgam #immunotherapy #bonemarrowtransplant #remission
Courage for Cory - We will Fight Bone Marrow Failure!
Up until three months ago, Cory was living a relatively healthy normal life - taking care of himself, eating right and exercising a few days a week. Cory, husband of 17 years to my sister Julia, father of two, had been working as a Correctional Officer at a Minnesota state prison for the last 7 years.
In February 2021, Cory started experiencing odd symptoms. After working out, he began noticing a skin rash and broken blood vessels. Random bruising began to occur that took longer than normal to heal, then unexplained nosebleeds.
It was March 9th that Cory's gums bled for 2 hours without resolving when he decided to visit Urgent Care that evening. At the clinic they were not able to detect any platelets, so he was taken via ambulance to Region's Hospital in St. Paul, MN where they discovered he had only 2K platelets in his body (normal is 150-350K) and was subsequently admitted to the Cancer Unit.
Since then, he has had two bone marrow biopsies, three hospital admissions, and more platelet and blood transfusions than we can keep track of. He’s been going to the hospital three times a week since March when this first began. 2 out of the 3 weekly visits he requires either blood or platelet transfusions. Cory is on many prescriptions, including Cyclosporine, and there is a concern that it could cause strain and damage to his liver and kidney function.
On April 21st, Cory received the diagnosis of Severe Aplastic Anemia. Only 600-900 people annually receive this diagnosis in the United States. It’s a very rare life threatening disease as it is Bone Marrow Failure. Even more rare is that he received this diagnosis at such a young age of 40.
On April 22nd he was admitted to the hospital for the next course of treatment as the prescriptions weren’t working as Cory's Hematology and Oncology Team had hoped. He had a port placed in his chest and received four days of ATGAM chemotherapy which was very hard on his body, in hopes that it would reset his immune system and stop his body from destroying his platelets.
On May 2nd Cory's gums began bleeding again. He was admitted to the hospital with only 1K platelets and needed yet another transfusion. Every week, Cory travels to Region Hospital in St. Paul for his Monday, Wednesday and Friday medical appointments. Some days he is at the hospital for 6-8 hours at a time as he often has to wait for platelets to become available.
We are anxiously awaiting the next steps which likely may include a bone marrow transplant. The ATGAM treatment, if successful, usually takes 4-6 weeks before the results are known. Every day we are praying for some sign of improvement. Any sign of remission would be miraculous and is what we are hoping for!
During this time, Cory would love to continue to work; however there are too many safety risks involved with working, especially at a prison. In fact, because Cory 's platelets are always very low, he must be extra careful with any activities that may cause injury.
Donations raised from this platform will allow Cory to take the time he needs to heal and hopefully go into remission, without worrying financially. Hospital bills from treatment are coming in and short term disability leaves very little left over and is not enough. Donations will be allocated between him taking time off of work to help cover living costs, pharmaceutical expenses, medical treatments, second/third opinions, testing, hospital admissions, and possibly a Bone Marrow Transplant.
Throughout this process, Cory has remained positive and hopeful. He is spending additional time with his family and loved ones. Thank you for joining Cory's support team! Please keep him and his family in your prayers. I will be sure to post updates throughout his treatment.
#courageforcory #wewillfight #severeaplasticanemia #saa #bonemarrowfailure #atgam #immunotherapy #bonemarrowtransplant #remission
Organizer and beneficiary
Jennifer Polak
Organizer
South Milwaukee, WI
Cory Deaton
Beneficiary