Help The Whiteside Family!

On July 5, 2022, I was diagnosed as having Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). Never in a million years would I have believed that a post-partum appt and labs to check on some leg swelling would turn into a meeting with a specialist and end up with me having Leukemia. I was told that the bad news is that I have CML, but the good news is that with medication and taking care of myself, I will live with this disease for a very long time. I had to stop breastfeeding to start treatment and after being on medication for almost two months, my numbers are pretty much back to normal. However, I am not yet 100% or able to return to work and being off work with a newborn and fighting cancer hasn’t been without its challenges.

I am a hardworking wife of 13 years to My Veteran husband Nick and mother of two Camryn 5 and Lennox 4 months. I have been a nurse for 9 years with a true passion for Maternal Child Health. I have been off work since April. It is hard when you are used to working, controlling your income and never asking anyone for anything and then you find yourself in a situation such as this. One where you end up with Leukemia, one where you suddenly have your two-income household turn into one income because you haven’t received any income in about a month and one where it has become difficult to buy the formula you never wanted to give your baby but he needs to eat and you had to stop breastfeeding to be able to treat your cancer. Unfortunately, savings are not endless when obstacles arise. God Bless those who have helped us stay afloat and God willing my disability will restart soon.

One of the hardest things about going through something is the need to keep it to ourselves and think we have to battle things alone. We are a regular hardworking, God-loving family who loves each other and our kids and are going through a difficult time. If you can help us during this difficult time we appreciate it tremendously from the bottom of our hearts because if you know us, you also know how difficult this is for us to ask. If you aren’t able to but Love God please continue praying for us. I am continuing to get better and God willing things will get back on track with my disability and I will be able to return to work on December 1st. Thank you all for the love, support, and prayers. God Bless!