Alex Shipman's Road to Recovery

On February 4th, 2022, Alex had surgery to remove his appendix. During this surgery, they discovered his white blood cell count was high. The average range is supposed to be between 2,000 and 10,000. Alex's count was at 88,000 after surgery. By his next appointment on February 16th, it had gone down to 36,000, alarming the doctors to run more tests and schedule follow-up appointments.

 

On March 11th, they diagnosed Alex with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, also known as CML. Thankfully this was caught in the first stages and is treatable with medication. With medication, CML can be cleared up in as little as three years, but it is possible it could take decades. CML is not curable without a bone marrow transplant, but the bone marrow transplant is not necessarily a better solution due to the side effects in comparison to the medication. With being in the first stage, we are thankful that Alex does not have to go through regular chemo unless things progress into the blast stage. The medication and CML side effects are low energy, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, constipation, and fluid retention.

 

Alex has an out-of-pocket total of $4,000 a year in co-pays for his insurance that he has already hit and will owe. Taking days off work for doctor appointments and feeling sick, gas to and from appointments, and tolls. Things are starting to add up, making it challenging to keep up as things move forward.

 

Keeping Alex on a path to recovery, his health is essential. Alex would like to switch to an all-organic diet and start a garden to help reduce food costs. Alex is also in need of a new mattress to ensure he gets the best and most sleep possible.

 

Our family is extremely grateful for anything anyone is able to donate to help out. Alex deserves all the support we can give him, be it a donation, words of encouragement, or keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.

 

With love, Abby- Alex's little sister.

 

To learn more about CML you can visit www.LLS.org