Updated posted by Frelimo Simba 3 days ago
Frelimo is on day 14 of...
Frelimo is on day 14 of the transplant. He had a fever this past Thursday night and was promptly admitted to inpatient. Flip’s White Blood Cells are critically low so any fever over 100 is treated as a medical emergency and guarantees a hospital stay. He also received two units of packed Red Blood Cells yesterday because his hematocrit dipped below 25%. He will also start receiving platelets real soon because those counts are dropping as well. The doctors and nurses continuously assure us that the blood count drops and fever are normal and expected but it still is a bit disconcerting. On an up note, it does look like he will be getting released from inpatient later today (provided that he doesn’t run another fever).
Upon release from Inpatient we will resume our daily routine, which consist of checking into IPOP (Inpatient/Outpatient Unit of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center) where Flip is weighed; his blood pressure checked; blood drawn; and temperature and pulse measured. We then proceed to the “clinic” to wait for the results of the blood work, see the doctors, and get replaced whatever the blood work in showing low (fluid, magnesium, blood products, etc., right now Flip takes over 35 pills per day and that also changes with the blood work). After IPOP Flip is discharged back to the patient/family pavilion. We will continue this daily routine until for the next 8-10 weeks.
Flip and I truly know that we are blessed and cannot walk this this journey alone. Please keep those prayers flowing.
Updated posted by Frelimo Simba 13 days ago
The Stem Cell Transplant was done...
The Stem Cell Transplant was done on Friday, May 3rd. Flip had to stay in the hospital for three days and as the nurses assure us, he is doing well. He is feeling quite tired and weak but is in good spirits. Please continue to keep him in your prayers, and for his DCFD family, he still needs those leave donations. Please send leave donations to Lt. Freeman at 29 engine. Thanks and be safe.
Lisa
Updated posted by Frelimo Simba 24 days ago
Yesterday, with the help of all...
Yesterday, with the help of all your monetary donations, my wife and I were able to move into the family pavilion on the campus of Johns Hopkins Hospital. Today (Friday, April 26, 2013) is the first day of our three-month transplant stay and it begins with surgery. The doctors have place a catheter in my chest to allow chemo and the new stem cells to enter my body. I know I will be “out of it” for the next couple of months so I wanted to take this time to thank everyone for their love and support. It truly was amazing to see donations from firehouses as far away as California to friends of family in New York - THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH!
I am asking anyone within DC Fire & EMS who can donate annual leave to please contact LT. Freeman at E-29-3; he will be handling the applications for donated leave. Members must complete the form Application To Make Annual Leave or Universal Leave Donation.
Thank You,
Frelimo Simba
Created by Frelimo Simba on October 20, 2012
My name is Frelimo Simba and for one year now I’ve been
fighting an aggressive form of stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I am a 21-year
veteran firefighter of the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department
(DCFEMS). I am currently receiving treatment at Johns Hopkins University
Hospital in Baltimore, MD in preparation for a stem cell transplant.
In November
2011, I had a surgical biopsy that revealed Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I began first line chemotherapy treatment at Georgetown University
Hospital's Lombardi Cancer Center. I underwent 6 cycles (12 doses) of
chemotherapy over a six-month period. I received my last dose of chemotherapy
in May of 2012. I looked forward to going back into the firehouse, however, in
early July 2012 a follow-up PET/CT scan showed three tumors, one in the center
of my chest, my groin and a new one on top of my heart. My Oncologist at
Georgetown Hospital said that my only hope for a cure would be another round of
a chemotherapy followed by a Stem Cell Transplant. I was referred to Johns Hopkins University
Hospital for a stem cell transplant.
Unlike firefighters in Maryland, Virginia and 42 other
states, the District of Columbia does not have presumptive law; therefore
cancer has not been accepted as an occupational hazard, it is considered a
personal illness. The DC firefighters
union (Local #36) has introduced legislation to the DC City Council to adopt
presumptive law, but it continues to be an uphill battle. Until then, our members must use their own
leave and assume responsibility for their own medical cost. My
wife and I will have to "live" for three months in Baltimore at the
Family Pavilion that is located next to the Cancer Treatment Center. The
center requires that a caregiver be present 24/7, therefore my wife has to take
a leave of absence to stay with me in Baltimore. There are many out of
pocket expenses including the biggest, lodging which will be approximately
$11,000. My wife and I are humbly reaching out for help and support
through prayers and donations.
For monetary
donations please use this Go Fund Me website; for my DCFEMS co-workers, you can
donate leave by contacting Captain Jon Grover at Engine Company 13 Platoon 4
(202-673-3213).
To have a further reaching affect and
ensure that no other DCFEMS Firefighter goes through what I am enduring, please
contact Council Chairman Phil Mendelson at 202-724-8064. Please express to Councilmember Mendelson the
importance of the presumptive legislation that the District of Columbia City
Council is currently reviewing. You
don’t have to be a DCFEMS Firefighter to call!
Recent Donations (136)
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I think Christopher Blakely and the other volunteer firefighters in this area would be very interested in this
posted by Rose Misner Bennett 6 months ago