Help Suzanne

May 5th, 2008

Sometimes it seems like just yesterday that I was given the news I had Leukemia.  Other times, it seems like forever ago.

As I reflect on the last 4 months, I'm amazed by how much has been accomplished.  We closed my store front and moved my daughter to my x's in record time. We had a couple of blood and bone marrow drives and held a few fundraising events.

In the midst of all this, I've had 3 solid weeks of chemotherapy, undergone approx 21 transfusions, had a couple of surgeries, and spent 4 days blind. Multiple times I've had a 104 fever and misc.complications including shock and allergic reactions.

Despite all that, with the help of my family and friends, we've managed to get through piles of medical paperwork and misc. applications and red tape. I also fit in reading books on Leukemia, Fundraising and my latest - Bankruptcy for Dummies...

I can't begin to guess how many people visited me during my stays in the hospital and I've received and tried to respond to a few hundred emails.  By the way, I'm hoping everyone has gotten a Thank you note, email or call from me. If not, I humbly beg your forgiveness!

I've had people I don't even know that have added me to their prayer list.

Some of the people I thought I could count on have all but disappeared and others I never dreamed would come forward have offered their support.

New friendships have been made and miracles have been performed.

All this in only 4 months.  Amazing!

And now begins Phase 2 - the transplant.

Against all odds and in an answer to prayer, I will finally be getting a transplant!  Despite 4 months of searching the worldwide database and numerous people being tested for me, a bone marrow donor match was never found and time was running out. In a last ditch effort, the doctors began searching for stem cells via umbilical cords (2 of which would be needed) and a match was finally found.  It's my understanding that I will be the first person at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center to receive a stem cell transplant and will also be pioneering a path by trying a drug called PTH in combination, which will hopefully help me recover my white counts faster.

In order to transplant the stem cells, first they will cut into my throat to access the large vein in which a catheter will be input and 3 tubes will come out of my chest.  They are larger in size than regular lumens, as the stem cells are larger than regular blood cells.  One tube (or lumen) will be for the cells, one for chemo and the 3rd for misc. and emergency procedures from what I understand, but don't quote me!

Miraculously, the cells will find their way to where they need to go automatically.  Only one of the 2 cords will actually take if the transplant is successful and my blood type and bone marrow will then change to that of the baby's, which in itself amazes me.

After the transplant, I'm pretty much guaranteed to get a disease called "Grafts vs. Host", which will cause me to be VERY sick for a few weeks and can be deadly, however, I'll be watched closely by a slew of doctors and will be given meds to ease my symptoms.  The positive aspect of this disease as that those who get it tend to have lower incidence of the Leukemia reoccurring.

For 3-6 months following the transplant, I'll be very sick and require 24 hr. care, 3 months of which someone has offered to pay. Another huge answer to prayer!  For the remaining 3 months however and for the additional medical expenses, etc., I'll need an estimated $60,000!  This does not include me paying my mortgage or credit cards.  Needless to say, I still need a lot of help and prayers.

When this is all said and done, I'll have most likely lost my home of 14 years and my perfect credit and have no money left to my name, but all I ask God is that I be alive and that I'm able to get my daughter back right away.  Nothing else matters to me except that I have my health, my family and friends.

In signing the Consent forms for the chemo, radiation and transplant surgery, it was shocking to hear all the things that will and some of the things that could potentially happen to me.  Amongst other things, they included brain damage ( I know some of you think I already have this... lol) and organ damage.  I'm going to choose to the see the glass half full however and plan to survive the procedure & its aftermath and be whole again when it's done.

In the meantime however, and in the event something goes wrong, I realized I should take this opportunity to tell you all how much each of you has meant to me and how much I truly appreciate all of you.  In fact, I'm wearing out some of my photo albums looking at all your mugs! ha ha

As a Christian, I have no choice but to Thank God for using me in this situation, whether I was meant to inspire others or as others lives will have been saved by those of you who have offered to be donors or those that donated blood.  While none of you were able to be my bone marrow donor, I pray that if called upon in the future, that you won't deny the life of another should the opportunity arise.  You never know whose life you might be saving and they are ALL worth saving.

Please take good care of yourselves, live your dreams and never give up the faith as in the end, it's all in Gods hands.

I love you guys!

Suzanne