I need a Stem Cell Transplant
Donación protegida
Those of you that know me, are aware of the very tough last couple of years that I have had. I have maintained my sobriety for over 18 months so far, and I have a firm foundation in place. I plan on never going back to that hell I got myself into. That being said, I have been diagnosed with Multiple Mylenoma in October of 2017. I have cancer of the bone marrow. There is no cure for M.M. it can only be treated, maintained, and often reoccurs years later.
I had been feeling very fatigued, exhausted, and sore for the majority of 2017. I had gone to numerous doctor's, had multitudes of blood work, and was sent to see specialists. I was sent to a kidney doctor that said my kidneys were only functioning at 20% of normal. He in turn sent me to a blood doctor who was also an Oncologist. My heart sank right then and there. Oncology? A cancer doctor? Wait a minute, I had gone thru all of this in the last couple of years with my mother, who died from Uterine cancer! This can't be happening to me now! Erin and I went to meet the Oncologist on October 20th. He explained his concerns, and suggested that I have a bone marrow biopsy to find out what was really going on. We did it that day. After the biopsy was done and sent out to the lab, we went back a few days later for the results. That's when I was told that I definitely had cancer. Erin and I were listening to his words, I was trying hard to process them all, but all I was hearing was seemed like Charlie Browns teacher! Drowned out and monotone. I was in shock. I have always been a healthy eater, exercised, and relatively healthy. ((And oh how I miss it now!)
I asked what we can do, what's the plan of attack? When will I feel better? Within the week, I was having full blown chemotherapy treatments. I had an allergic reaction to one of the IV meds they give me every Monday. So now I am being given a different IV chemo treatment. I also have to take another chemo medicine every other day, and up to 20 steroids on my IV days. My life as I once knew it, will never be the same. Some days it's a struggle just to get out of bed, I am THAT exhausted! I have always been a busy body with excess energy, but I am learning to listen to my body now. Take frequent naps, and slow down when I am feeling the effects of all the chemo meds coursing thru my body. The plan is for me to do 4 months of aggressive chemotherapy treatment, and then be sent to Stanford, who has one of the best transplant teams in the country. I will be having a bone marrow/ stem cell transplant, and just thinking about it, is absolutely freaking me out!!! But I can do this. I HAVE to do this if I want to have a somewhat normal life again. As I mentioned before, this type of cancer is NOT curable. So it's my best option, especially at 52!
I am starting this campaign because I need to raise money for my outpatient lodging, food and transportation that I am going to need after the transplant takes place. The transplant itself usually consists of my being quarantined in the hospital for up to a month during the transplant, then It's required that I be able to stay nearby, and within 20 minutes of Stanford in Palo Alto CA. I have a VERY limited income, I get less then $200 a month ( I have had a SSDI case pending a hearing since 2016) and I need to raise enough money to be able to stay in the Bay Area for a month after my transplant. The hotel or studio apartment will have to have a kitchen, since I won't be able to eat out at all. I will also need reliable transportation to and from the hospital every day ( for a month approximately) and I will need a 24/7 caretaker. I will be SO wiped out from the heavy duty amounts of chemo they will be giving me, I have been told it's going to feel like I am dying. I'm not going to be able to take care if myself at all.
I want to have all my 'ducks in a row' for my transplant. It's stressful enough going thru all if this daily, I don't want it to wear me down even more then it needs too. I want to stay alive, and I am willing to do whatever I need to do in order to make that happen. With your help, you can personally help me do that. God knows I can't do it without the help of my family and friends. I want to thank you all for anything your able to donate in order for me to move forward with my Stem Cell Transplant. It's greatly appreciated!
Organizador
Laura Sullivan Hagerman
Organizador
Citrus Heights, CA