Steven's Fight Against Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Updated Story: Hello all! My name is Steven Applegate I am a 27 year old Barista from Louisville, KY (Transplant from Cincinnati, OH). I have been on a life changing journey with Leukemia since Oct 2019, when I was diagnosed, unknown how long I had been living with it. My journey actually began with a normal trip to the hospital because I had been feeling pretty crummy and had some rather worrisome symptoms; I had been running a fever, vomiting, had a runny nose, and had random bruising popping up leading me to head to the doctor. I went to our nearest hospital and after about 45 mins of seeing me the doctor comes back with a diagnosis of Allergies prescribing me Zyrtec and a stomach medicine to help with the vomiting completely ignoring my symptoms. Jump forwards three weeks, still having the same symptoms and getting worse, all while still working my full time job. I begin to have abdominal pain so painful that I want to curl up and cry. Knowing that something is absolutely wrong I leave work and head back to the hospital this time having no clue what I am about to find out. I'm think maybe it's appendicitis or something along those lines. Oct 12th 2019, the day I will never forget I am diagnosed with Leukemia and told that I am immediately being admitted to the hospital for a 30 day introduction stage of extremely strong chemo. What do I do? I have no savings, insurance is terrible, what about my home and rent. They have no answers to these questions. My official results come back from my blood work showing that the Leukemia has completely taken over my blood stream leaving no red blood cells or platelets all explaining my symptoms, if it hadn't been for my diligence I would have or could have died. During my introduction chemo I had quite a few complications; The chemo led to me developing Mucositis (inflamed mucus glands) which travelled down my esophagus into my stomach which, led me to develop what the doctors believe was thrush but they still have no answers to. This all led to my inability to speak and eat for over a week. I developed burns to my genitalia as well from the chemo induced diarrhea preventing me from being able to as active as needed. During this extended stay in the hospital, it led to the loss of my home due to the owners not wanting to rent the home anymore, leading myself and partner to be homeless. Fortunately enough we were able to gather funds to get into an extended stay hotel but this is extremely taxing financially that we don't know if each week that we'll have a roof above our heads. My current outlook is set up as: 30 day introduction chemo 15 days out of hospital (Bone Marrow biopsy done during this period) Back into the hospital for 6 day chemo regimen: Days 1,3, & 5 - HiDAC Cytarabine for 3 hours increments every 12 hours After 6 days sent home for 15 to rest and recoup to return for next round of HiDAC. I am scheduled for three rounds of this HiDAC chemo which after I will have another bone marrow biopsy to check for remission. I am just really needing help to get through this terrible journey that I never expected to be taking in my life. Anything is greatly appreciated and will help to make sure that I can safely heal and fight in warm homing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading! On Oct 12th 2019, I went into the Emergency Room to be checked up on for what the doctors had told me were just allergies. After having blood test ran to find what was wrong, I received a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. I had no time to prepare or get ready for this long journey, I was immediately checked into the hospital to begin Chemotherapy to fight the cancer. During my stay for treatment we also lost our home and have been staying in lodging nearby, not knowing if the next day well have a roof over our heads. I am looking at a long fight ahead of me and desperately need any help I can get. T-shirts are available at: https://www.customink.com/fundraising/stevens-fight-against-acute-myeloid-leukemia-new