Merissa Perkins

My name is Katelyn Perkins and my Aunt Liz and I are doing a fundraiser for my mom.  She was recently diagnosed with Diffused Large B-Cell Lymphoma which is an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.   She said that they don't really stage Lymphoma the same way as they do other cancers because it is an all over the body cancer.  They stage it more on a risk or aggressiveness factor.  She doesn’t have the most aggressive type but hers is really fast moving.  So her doctor told her he considers her stage 4.  But he also said that he thought they caught it early.

She will have one day/8 hours of IV chemo once every 3 weeks for 6 cycles - so 18 weeks.  The chemo treatment is called R-CHOP.   She will also be taking an oral chemo pill.  She has gone through her first round of the IV chemo and has been doing pretty well so far.  The goal after 18 weeks is to be 100% cured forever.   

She has my brother Anthony and I to help her out and lots of other family and friends.  But we know that the financial part of this is going to be tough.  She was changing insurance when all of this happened and there will be many expenses that are not covered, plus some extra expenses she will have during treatment.  I know that my mom doesn't really feel that comfortable accepting money from others, but in her words, “I just know being on the other side of the situation that I just have always wanted to help; so anything that helps your heart whether it is emotional, prayers, good thoughts or financial are appreciated.  Any financial donations that are beyond my needs will be donated Lymphoma/cancer research”. 

We want to thank everyone for all the help, positive thoughts, prayers and support during this time.