Update 1 - now that I know a little more
In support of
Angelina aka Angel, Lina
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Angelina aka Angel, Lina
Dear friends and family,
First, thank you for your patience on a response from me. Yesterday was one of the hardest days I have ever faced, and I was exhausted at the end of it.
My follow-up visit with my doctor, Thomas Knight, M.D., did not go as I had hoped. The blood transfusions left me feeling so good & my early discharge from the hospital left me feeling hopeful I was improving. The truth is, however, I am not at this point, but most likely will.
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Some of the details
What I know at this point is:
>the classification of my leukemia is Acute Myeoloid Leukemia with a pull toward Chronic ML. This indicates my cancer is aggressively growing. Therefore, Doc wants to treat it aggressively. I am starting on an oral chemotherapy from home today (Thursday, September 18).
>after a week to 10 days of that, I will most likely be hospitalized for a week’s worth of intensive treatment. Where this treatment (trx) will take place is yet-to-be-determined – Asheville, Franklin, or Charlotte.
>leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Depending on how the first round of treatment goes I may need bone marrow transfusions. If I do, I will be isolated in trx for 30 days and return home for another 60 days. I will not be allowed to be alone for these 60 days.
As you can imagine, this was hard news to hear. After tears, a good meal and rest I feel ready to face this battle. However, I am not going to be able to do this without support. I hope you will consider helping in whatever way fits your lifestyle: cards, prayers, taking a shift to sit with me during those 60 days (most likely in Franklin), monetary support to help me make my bills, keep my place, and meet my deductible and holding me to the Light for healing.
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I am so grateful!
The good news is my doc only treats three cancers. He is one of the field’s leading experts on blood cancers. I am so grateful to have him nearby in Charlotte. He is heading research on the financial impacts of cancer. I will be participating in this study. This information, his bedside manner, his intelligence, his ability to communicate well, and his compassion as I teared up helps me rest easily into his care. I met most of my team yesterday: his nurse, the social worker, the pharmacist, and the nurse navigator. The financial navigator called this a.m. Navigators do just what the name implies-help me navigate through their specific area. For all of this, I am very grateful.
Other good news I MAY be able to do much of my trx in Franklin where I will be in my comfortable bed & with Patches 😊. I have a few close friends nearby. I’d rather be in Charlotte or Knoxville, closer to family & friends, but a move feels too daunting at this point. I will be ok in Franklin until the worst of this passes. I am grateful for my space there.
I am grateful for Norma Jean Arey (or NJ, as I call her) who has taken me into her home. When the hospital told me I could go home I didn’t want to be too far away initially. I called NJ & without much hesitation, she said yes to taking me in. So, I was discharged that day to her home. For those of you who don’t know, NJ was my youth group leader at Trinity United Methodist Church in my hometown of Kannapolis NC. In my college years, I nannied for her family. She and then-husband John Arey were awesome leaders who became life-long friends. I am deeply grateful to her!! It has been fun to spend time w her daughter Carter & see the wonderful woman, mom, attorney she has become. I hope to see Curt again sometime soon.
Last, but definitely not least, of the good news - my employer is working with me to give me paid time off and FMLA. It will help pay the bills & keep me fed. I am deeply grateful to Rachel Hoskins and SPRC for standing up for me like this.
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As scary as this prospect is, I want you to know I feel an amazing peace of mind throughout it all – the peace that passes all understanding. I have felt your prayers and ask that you keep them up (along with those cards 😊). Healing comes in so many forms – physical, emotional, and spiritual. Knowing you care means more than I can express.
I love and appreciate you,
Angelina aka Lina or Ms. Angelina
Comments
Pamela Browne
Christine Sacino
Julie Malm
maya massar
Pam Lutgen
Please let us know what you require of us. We’re here for you when you get home. Prayers are sent up daily. I hope you feel them. Please stay in touch. Thank you for the latest news.
Love and hugs
Pam
Mickeeya
Bonnie Taylor
Mary Pittman