Donation protected
On April 14th, 2021, my life changed forever. I was diagnosed with high risk Philadelphia Chromosome Positive B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at 11 weeks pregnant. I was completely devastated. To go from being excited about having a baby to realizing that I had to fight cancer was tough.
Because the cancer is acute (develops fast) treatment had to start ASAP. Fortunately I was able to start chemo during my 2nd trimester when there is less risk to the baby. I took 2 weeks worth of steroids to keep the cancer under control until I was able to start chemo 2 weeks later. My oncology and fetal medicine doctors were able to come up with a treatment that would be safe for both me and the baby.
Chemo was brutal. It definitely was an uphill battle. I had so many hospital stays due to side effects. Somehow, through lots of prayer and the phenomenal job of my medical team, I made it to 32 weeks gestation. I ended up having an emergency C-section at 32 weeks and 5 days due to me developing bacterial meningitis. My son went through 7 rounds of chemo with me. Fortunately, he was born healthy but had to spend 37 days in the NICU. While he was in the NICU, I completed my final round of inpatient chemo.
Im now in the maintenance phase of treatment. I need monthly outpatient chemo and I need to take a chemotherapy pill for at least the next 2 years.
Today I found out that the chemo pill will be $1000/month WITH insurance. The chemo pill is the most crucial part of keeping me in remission. I’ve applied for assistance from the drug manufacturer, but so far I haven’t gotten any help as of yet. I have to take this medicine daily, so I’m forced to pay out of pocket for now because I need it so desperately.
That $1000/month is in addition to copays that I will need to pay for monthly chemo and travel expenses.
I’m thankful for having medical insurance, but it unfortunately does not cover my medical expenses 100% until I meet the deductible of $7000.
Any funds raised will be used to meet my medical deductible of $7000 and help with travel costs.
Last year we were able to keep our heads above water, but now with a new baby a new yearly deductible, and left over bills from last year (travel costs were about $1000/mo as well) it’s putting us into debt. I’m not back at work yet and my disability payments are significantly less than my normal paychecks.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! My #1 goal is to be here to raise my son. He’s the reason why I continue to fight so hard to get through all of this. I found out that I had abnormal white blood cells through my OBGYN blood work. If it weren’t for being pregnant, I probably would’ve never gotten checked out until it was too late. So yes, my little boy, Michael saved my life!
Cancer is tough, but I’m tougher! I’m determined to beat this! I’ve beat extensive spine surgery and knee surgery in the past, but this battle has certainly been the most difficult.
Please help me reach this goal!
Because the cancer is acute (develops fast) treatment had to start ASAP. Fortunately I was able to start chemo during my 2nd trimester when there is less risk to the baby. I took 2 weeks worth of steroids to keep the cancer under control until I was able to start chemo 2 weeks later. My oncology and fetal medicine doctors were able to come up with a treatment that would be safe for both me and the baby.
Chemo was brutal. It definitely was an uphill battle. I had so many hospital stays due to side effects. Somehow, through lots of prayer and the phenomenal job of my medical team, I made it to 32 weeks gestation. I ended up having an emergency C-section at 32 weeks and 5 days due to me developing bacterial meningitis. My son went through 7 rounds of chemo with me. Fortunately, he was born healthy but had to spend 37 days in the NICU. While he was in the NICU, I completed my final round of inpatient chemo.
Im now in the maintenance phase of treatment. I need monthly outpatient chemo and I need to take a chemotherapy pill for at least the next 2 years.
Today I found out that the chemo pill will be $1000/month WITH insurance. The chemo pill is the most crucial part of keeping me in remission. I’ve applied for assistance from the drug manufacturer, but so far I haven’t gotten any help as of yet. I have to take this medicine daily, so I’m forced to pay out of pocket for now because I need it so desperately.
That $1000/month is in addition to copays that I will need to pay for monthly chemo and travel expenses.
I’m thankful for having medical insurance, but it unfortunately does not cover my medical expenses 100% until I meet the deductible of $7000.
Any funds raised will be used to meet my medical deductible of $7000 and help with travel costs.
Last year we were able to keep our heads above water, but now with a new baby a new yearly deductible, and left over bills from last year (travel costs were about $1000/mo as well) it’s putting us into debt. I’m not back at work yet and my disability payments are significantly less than my normal paychecks.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! My #1 goal is to be here to raise my son. He’s the reason why I continue to fight so hard to get through all of this. I found out that I had abnormal white blood cells through my OBGYN blood work. If it weren’t for being pregnant, I probably would’ve never gotten checked out until it was too late. So yes, my little boy, Michael saved my life!
Cancer is tough, but I’m tougher! I’m determined to beat this! I’ve beat extensive spine surgery and knee surgery in the past, but this battle has certainly been the most difficult.
Please help me reach this goal!
Organizer
Renata Rogers
Organizer
Trenton, NJ