Medical Fundraiser for Lesha Alexander

My name is Tina Gibbons. Lesha Alexander is a dear friend and a “ faith sister” to me. Like many of you, I love her and was so sad to hear she recently received a leukemia diagnosis. She is currently going through intense treatment and medical costs are adding up. Her amazing coworkers all chipped in and donated sick time/PTO to help bridge her through treatment, but that will soon run out. I asked Lesha to share what is going on and this is what she shared below. We will also post updates here, so please feel free to check back. Thank you all for your support!

How the journey began ..

In June and July I noticed I was bruising easily. At 58, I thought it might be a post menopausal thing and made a note to mention it at my annual check up in September. Then I was stung by a bee and a weird reaction with the entire top of my foot rasping and then bruising. I didn’t connect the two, but cussed Covid because while I once seemed to have a kick a$$ immune system, it hadn’t been the same since my covid experience. Then, I got another rash and called my Dr.

On a Monday , I patted myself in the back for my level of ability to complete an hour long Butts and Guts workout class.

On Tuesday I had bloodwork and got a call to come in for a repeat and it was suggested that I self isolate. The next day I was seeing a Hematologist and discussing autoimmune diseases and leukemias. Then the bone marrow biopsy. A few days later Hematologist called to say, “ I don’t won’t to do this over the phone , but I’m setting things I motion as quick as I can for you, and I don’t want anyone else reaching out to you first.” “This is Leukemia.”

And my world stood still.

To say that was a shock would be the understatement of a lifetime. You know the phrases-

Gut punch, breath knocked out of you, rug ripped out from under you”… all of that. Why? I’ve taken really good care of myself. I eat well. I exercise. I take great vitamins. I don’t use chemicals in my home. As it turns out, this leukemia “ just happens”. Something causes some cells to go off course and here you are.

On September 6th I was admitted as an inpatient at The James Cancer Center at OSU for treatment. If all goes well, as I pray that it does, there will be good news from my day 21 and day 28 bone marrow biopsies and then we will look at a bone marrow transplant.

It’s a really, really hard and scary path, but I know, IKNOW that GOD is so much bigger than this and I’m in my Father’s hands.

The other thing I know is that I am loved beyond measure. I’ve been overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of messages, prayers, verses, songs, playlists (Liv) photos and cards. Keep that stuff up! You truly have no idea what a difference that makes. In the moments of high fevers and low BPs and nausea, etc, all of those messages from you, mean the world!

I love you all!!! Lesha