Denny's Leukemia Fundraiser
Hey, everyone! I'm Denny, as most of you know. I'm 25 years old and I work at USPS as a truck driver in St. Louis. Here's my story.
March 11th, 2017 at 11pm, I developed a nosebleed at home (East Alton/Rosewood Heights) that I could not stop. After about an hour and a half, I finally gave in and drove myself to St. Anthony's ER in Alton. After another 2 to 3 hours of plugging my nose and swallowing blood, the nosebleed was no more!
Numerous blood tests were performed and to my dismay, the doctor-on-site found my platelet (clotting cells) count to be 9,000, while the average person has a count of around 150,000. Needless to say, I was a bit worried when they told me they'd have to keep me overnight and admit me to the ICU to introduce donated platelets to me.
Jump forward a few hours of waiting; I've received my platelets, and the ICU draws blood to check my levels. It's around 8am. A few hours of blood draws and vital checks go by. Nothing really new to be said, but I'm not worried about it.
Noon. March 12th, 2017. I'm diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Things start moving fast. My phone won't stop. My brain is going a million miles a minute. Confusion and anxiety set in. The oncologist tells me that I must be transferred to a cancer center as soon as possible. What started out as a nosebleed very well may have saved my life.
Two days go by. March 14th. Happy Pi Day! I'm transferred to St. Louis University Hospital via ambulance. Dozens of blood tests, vital tests, physical tests, fluid samples, you name it, they did it. Awesome staff, very helpful with any questions.
March 15th. Bone marrow biopsy, heart Echo test (to figure out if my heart is strong enough for chemotherapy), chest x-rays, and a central line through my chest so they don't have to keep poking me with needles every time I'm hooked to anything.
March 17th. I'm given a rigorous schedule about my chemo, very well designed and easy to understand. I'm told I'll receive 6 days of chemotherapy, twice a day, at 3 hour doses.
March 18th through March 23rd, I receive my 6 days of chemo and feel absolutely fine through it all. No nausea, no pain, no side effects throughout the entire process.
Today, March 25th, two days after chemo has completed. The only side effect I'm having is severe eye irritation/burning and sensitivity to light. I've had to pause while writing this probably 20 times to shield my eyes. Still, nothing too major, surely it will work itself out with the multitude of eyedrops I'm pouring into them daily.
I have had nothing but the absolute greatest of support from all of you. I love waking up every day to you guys checking up on me. It really does help. The positivity keeps me going strong. Keep it up.
I'm starting this fundraiser in hopes that through the generosity of my vast support group (yeah, you guys), I'll be able to pick myself up WHEN I get out of this hospital (not if, but when). It's looking like it's going to be another 6-8 months (rough estimate) before I'll step foot in a Post Office truck again and get all your packages delivered, haha.
That being said, I love you all so much for being here for me in my time of need. For real, you're all the best :)
From Room 824, SLU Hospital.
Come see me!
