Paulina’s Journey Through Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Donation protected
Hi there, I’m Paulina but most of y'all know me by Pau [pow!]
In January 2024, I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)/blood cancer. This GoFundMe was created to help with medical expenses and lost income due to treatment. If you would like to read more of my story, please keep reading! [UPDATES are at the bottom]
During the last week of November, I got a root canal after dealing with oral pain. A few days later, I injured my knee severely. That set off a chain of reactions such as my other leg or hips starting to hurt since I was putting more pressure. A month after my root canal, I had to take out my wisdom tooth. Around new year, my pain switches from oral pain (my gums weren’t healing correctly) to head and body pain.
January 10th, I started experiencing intense muscle spasms. These could be caused by stress and anxiety. After over a month of nonstop problems and pains, it may have taken a toll on my body. I decided to endure this pain.
January 20th I finally went to a hospital in Irving, TX. I went in for my muscle spasms, not knowing what was coming next. Hours later we were told I was being transferred to their Dallas (cancer) location because of my high count of white blood cells, which meant signs of leukemia.
I went from thinking I was going to the hospital for my spasm pain, to being told I have cancer.
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We now have more answers after my bone marrow biopsy. I have been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
As reference, here are the numbers of my white blood cell counts:
Day 1: 190k white blood cell count
Red blood cell count really low
Day 2: started blood transfusion to help with low red blood cell count. Started treatment to lower white blood cells
Day 3: 89k white blood cell count
More blood transfusion and red blood cell count went up, got bone marrow biopsy
Day 4: (now) 50k white blood cell count
Red blood cell count going up.
Started chemotherapy
The normal white blood cell count is 4,500-11,000.
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I’m not sure exactly how long my stay at the hospital will be. I was told it would be about a month.
Thank you for reading my journey. I wanted to be thorough and explain what your support will go towards!
* Most importantly, it’ll help with medical expenses. We don’t have good insurance, so most if not close to all will be out of pocket.
* I’m a small business owner and had to cancel my best performing vendor events for the next month. I can no longer operate my business while I’m going through this. Your support will help supplement my income while I’m not working. This includes being able to take care of any of my personal bills and expenses I’m responsible for.
* My husband has run out of PTO to be by my side. He doesn’t plan to stay out of work the whole time, but for the days he has to take days off without pay, this will help so much.
* Also with chemotherapy, I’ll be experiencing hair loss. I would love to get a couple of wigs. My hair stylist is so kind as to wanting to gift her coloring services to me for the wigs I get, however I still want to show my appreciation for her time and kindness.
If you’re unable to donate, I completely understand! Any shares would also help us, thank you ❤️
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UPDATE 1, January 25th: THANK YALL SO MUCH!! I just wanted to update that my treatments are going very well ❤️ They will be keeping a close eye on me the next few weeks.
UPDATE 2, January 28th: Thank y’all again so much for all the support and help you’ve given me! Your donations have already made an impact ❤️ Last night was my last treatment, now I stay put and they watch over my body and such to see how everything is going and going to go.
UPDATE 3, February 7th: I’ve taken the last of my chemo pills. The next two weeks is expected (hopefully) to be “boring” as doctors are telling me. No news is good news. There’s not too much of an update as I’m still being observed and being told treatment is going well and that I’m doing well. Thank you again for all the support!
Organizer and beneficiary
Paulina Dane
Organizer
Grand Prairie, TX
Paulina Dane
Beneficiary