The Kat Fight- Beating Leukemia
Donation protected
"Kat's Korner...the road to recovery
On May 27, 2015 Kathleen Purcell, known as Kat to friends and family received news that would change her life.
While at work as an occupational therapist at Baptist Desoto, Kat got the call that no one wants to get. There had been no problems, no health issues, just some routine screening blood tests.
Acute Myelocytic Leukemia the doctor said...we need you in the hospital to start treatment today.
The family was already reeling from Dad's rapidly declining health. Kathleen was stunned! She had things to figure out but there was no time. She checked into Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis on May 28, 2015 on the Mylosuppression unit. Heavy duty chemotherapy was started and there she stayed until mid July. Sadly, a week after being admitted, Kat's father Jerry Dixon gave up his fight. Kat being in the hospital was unable to attend his funeral.
The type of cancer that Kathleen has is a particularly aggressive kind, more difficult to control and put in remission and more likely to recur. The doctors began talking about a stem cell transplant as the only option. As one doctor put it, you either have a transplant or you die.
Kathleen's sisters, Lori Tenorio and Connie Looney were tested. Many of you, her friends, coworkers and family asked about being tested as possible donors and we thank you. In the end, her older sister Connie was enough of a match to proceed with the transplant.
Kat went back into the hospital on Aug 27 and on September 1, 2015 roughly 3 months after being diagnosed, the transplant was performed. This involved more high dose chemotherapy before the actual transplant and 2 weeks in the ICU room of the mylosuppression unit. She was released from the hospital on Oct 7,2015. One of the doctors mentioned the transplant was "not for sissies"-he wasn't kidding!
Throughout this very difficult time, Kathleen has shown a strength and amazing spirit that is difficult to describe. She is progressing well but the road to recovery is a long one and her life has been altered forever.
Recovery from the transplant will take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year and will require vigilance and medication for the rest of her life. We are grateful that we have that problem to worry about.
Kathleen lives in Hernando MS with her husband Dana Purcell. Kathleen just celebrated her 20th anniversary as a Baptist employee. Unfortunately, the required recovery time will limit Kat's ability to return to work at this time. She is fortunate to have good insurance and support, however the bills associated with a catastrophic illness such as this are staggering and last a lifetime.
Please show your support and let Kat know you are in her corner! Whether your support is monetary, well wishes or positive thoughts and prayers, each and every one of her supporters is an important part of her recovery and is loved and appreciated. So many have shown their care and compassion we will never be able to thank you enough.
On May 27, 2015 Kathleen Purcell, known as Kat to friends and family received news that would change her life.
While at work as an occupational therapist at Baptist Desoto, Kat got the call that no one wants to get. There had been no problems, no health issues, just some routine screening blood tests.
Acute Myelocytic Leukemia the doctor said...we need you in the hospital to start treatment today.
The family was already reeling from Dad's rapidly declining health. Kathleen was stunned! She had things to figure out but there was no time. She checked into Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis on May 28, 2015 on the Mylosuppression unit. Heavy duty chemotherapy was started and there she stayed until mid July. Sadly, a week after being admitted, Kat's father Jerry Dixon gave up his fight. Kat being in the hospital was unable to attend his funeral.
The type of cancer that Kathleen has is a particularly aggressive kind, more difficult to control and put in remission and more likely to recur. The doctors began talking about a stem cell transplant as the only option. As one doctor put it, you either have a transplant or you die.
Kathleen's sisters, Lori Tenorio and Connie Looney were tested. Many of you, her friends, coworkers and family asked about being tested as possible donors and we thank you. In the end, her older sister Connie was enough of a match to proceed with the transplant.
Kat went back into the hospital on Aug 27 and on September 1, 2015 roughly 3 months after being diagnosed, the transplant was performed. This involved more high dose chemotherapy before the actual transplant and 2 weeks in the ICU room of the mylosuppression unit. She was released from the hospital on Oct 7,2015. One of the doctors mentioned the transplant was "not for sissies"-he wasn't kidding!
Throughout this very difficult time, Kathleen has shown a strength and amazing spirit that is difficult to describe. She is progressing well but the road to recovery is a long one and her life has been altered forever.
Recovery from the transplant will take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year and will require vigilance and medication for the rest of her life. We are grateful that we have that problem to worry about.
Kathleen lives in Hernando MS with her husband Dana Purcell. Kathleen just celebrated her 20th anniversary as a Baptist employee. Unfortunately, the required recovery time will limit Kat's ability to return to work at this time. She is fortunate to have good insurance and support, however the bills associated with a catastrophic illness such as this are staggering and last a lifetime.
Please show your support and let Kat know you are in her corner! Whether your support is monetary, well wishes or positive thoughts and prayers, each and every one of her supporters is an important part of her recovery and is loved and appreciated. So many have shown their care and compassion we will never be able to thank you enough.
Organizer and beneficiary
April Cheung Hilsdon
Organizer
Southaven, MS
Kathleen Purcell
Beneficiary