Aitken the artist with leukemia
Donation protected
My husband, my best friend, I found him later in life and we both say I wish I found you sooner. He's amazing man in so many ways.
YOn Febraury 13, 2013 he was diagnosed with AML leukemia he had a hard battle. Chemo, 7 bone marrow biopsies, in and out of Emory hospital. In September 2013 he finally was in remission. He slowly went back to his love and passion of our shop as a incredible tattoo artist. He's been tattooing over 22 years. We almost lost our shop when he was sick. This past summer he was asked to compete on Ink Masters but still being under doctors care he had to decline.
The leukemia returned on on Dec 14 2014, the day after our anniversary. We live in a small town so they send him back to Emory hospital in Atlanta, which is 5 1/2 hours from home. So during Christmas he was enduring even stronger chemo than last time, and 2 bone marrow biopsies so far.
This past Friday we found out my husband and the chemo got rid of those leukemia cells. Yep leukemia is gone for now. But he is trying to build back up with blood transfusions, and platelets. Food is tasting horrible, but he tries. He Is weak but trying to get stronger each day.
He is still at the hospital for hopefully only another 2 weeks. But all depends how strong he gets. He will come home so he can be in remission awhile. Then back up to Emory hospital for another 3 to 4 months because he will be getting a bone marrow transplant. Hopefully his younger brother Charlie is a match or we will need to check the bone marrow bank.
The next 12 months are going to be hard with travel, hospital stays, medical, daily living of a family fighting leukemia and the bills keep coming in and we also need to make sure we don't loose our only income with our tattoo shop.
We ask with great gratitude to family, friends, clients, and fellow tattoo artists any help you can give. No words can express our thanks from each and everyone.
As my husband says kind of ironic that a tattoo artist gets leukemia huh?
Thank you one and all.
YOn Febraury 13, 2013 he was diagnosed with AML leukemia he had a hard battle. Chemo, 7 bone marrow biopsies, in and out of Emory hospital. In September 2013 he finally was in remission. He slowly went back to his love and passion of our shop as a incredible tattoo artist. He's been tattooing over 22 years. We almost lost our shop when he was sick. This past summer he was asked to compete on Ink Masters but still being under doctors care he had to decline.
The leukemia returned on on Dec 14 2014, the day after our anniversary. We live in a small town so they send him back to Emory hospital in Atlanta, which is 5 1/2 hours from home. So during Christmas he was enduring even stronger chemo than last time, and 2 bone marrow biopsies so far.
This past Friday we found out my husband and the chemo got rid of those leukemia cells. Yep leukemia is gone for now. But he is trying to build back up with blood transfusions, and platelets. Food is tasting horrible, but he tries. He Is weak but trying to get stronger each day.
He is still at the hospital for hopefully only another 2 weeks. But all depends how strong he gets. He will come home so he can be in remission awhile. Then back up to Emory hospital for another 3 to 4 months because he will be getting a bone marrow transplant. Hopefully his younger brother Charlie is a match or we will need to check the bone marrow bank.
The next 12 months are going to be hard with travel, hospital stays, medical, daily living of a family fighting leukemia and the bills keep coming in and we also need to make sure we don't loose our only income with our tattoo shop.
We ask with great gratitude to family, friends, clients, and fellow tattoo artists any help you can give. No words can express our thanks from each and everyone.
As my husband says kind of ironic that a tattoo artist gets leukemia huh?
Thank you one and all.
Organizer
Jeanne Aitken
Organizer
Brunswick, GA
