Help Me Continue College After Leukemia
Donation protected
My name is Gloria B. Gallegos and I am 22. I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblactic Leukemia on March 8, 2012. During that time I was a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University Teaneck, NJ. I was majoring in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management.
While finding new opportunities to advance in the field I had to leave everything behind after being rushed to Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx. I had no blood and I had a headache that I could not resist. It was very hard for my family to accept the fact that I had cancer and that it could happen to me.
I had to take chemotherapy, but my parents decided to send me to Ecuador because the treatment is cheaper and I honestly didn't trust any doctors. So I went there and I was rushed to emergency with a blood level of 3/12. I could've had a heart attack and died any moment. I was still reluctant to going into treatment, but I did it because I was hopeless so might as well try.
I went through so much pain and depression. I couldn't see anyone for more than an hour. I couldn't keep food in my stomach and I simply cried everyday because all my friends and family were in the USA and I felt like I would never fulfill my dream. My liver had a kind of hepatitis at the same time and I had a tumor in my head as well.
During the time I was isolated I would have all sorts of machines connected to my body. It was a real struggle to eat everyday. It was like a chore. Every time I had to get blood transfusions and platelets and everything that composes blood.
I didn't receive chemo since then and the doctors didn't want to do anything else other than wait for a miracle and for a none morrow transplant, which took forever. My family gave up all their savings in order to pay for my medicine and save my life. Some of my family members didn't work because I was always in need of something.
With nothing left and no one to tell us that everything will be alright, my family gave me up to God and asked for help. They prayed for me and during that time of prayer of nine days I felt weird one morning. I couldn't see and I was in so much pain from my lower back to my feet. I couldn't stand up and the doctors couldn't see what was happening. By the third day, my defenses went up and my bone marrow was functioning normally.
I felt as if I've been under surgery and my headaches were gone and I could clearly feel as if the back of my head has been stitched.
At the same time, my sister felt the same pain I felt and we couldn't explain it. Since then, I've been recovering every day and now it's been a year and a half since I was intensive care.
Eating healthily, taking my medicine, excercising and trusting in God has helped me get through this huge lesson. Now that I am back since this June 19, 2014 I would like to finish my studies but because of the debt I have from the treatment my family can't help me go to school.
When I left my university I ended up owing money from the year and a half I attended the school. I really can't work now and looking for a job makes it much harder that even if I do get a job I would have to delay my studies and my debt keeps me from moving forward.
So today, I would like to ask you to help me continue my studies and pay back the debt so that I may go on with my life. I have always been a good student and always worked hard to get far. I was the valedictorian of 2010 in Jane Addams High School in the Bronx and the first one in my family going to a university.
please take into consideration this letter I am writing to you and thank you for taking the time to read my story, may God bless you all. Prayers are also acceptable. :)
While finding new opportunities to advance in the field I had to leave everything behind after being rushed to Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx. I had no blood and I had a headache that I could not resist. It was very hard for my family to accept the fact that I had cancer and that it could happen to me.
I had to take chemotherapy, but my parents decided to send me to Ecuador because the treatment is cheaper and I honestly didn't trust any doctors. So I went there and I was rushed to emergency with a blood level of 3/12. I could've had a heart attack and died any moment. I was still reluctant to going into treatment, but I did it because I was hopeless so might as well try.
I went through so much pain and depression. I couldn't see anyone for more than an hour. I couldn't keep food in my stomach and I simply cried everyday because all my friends and family were in the USA and I felt like I would never fulfill my dream. My liver had a kind of hepatitis at the same time and I had a tumor in my head as well.
During the time I was isolated I would have all sorts of machines connected to my body. It was a real struggle to eat everyday. It was like a chore. Every time I had to get blood transfusions and platelets and everything that composes blood.
I didn't receive chemo since then and the doctors didn't want to do anything else other than wait for a miracle and for a none morrow transplant, which took forever. My family gave up all their savings in order to pay for my medicine and save my life. Some of my family members didn't work because I was always in need of something.
With nothing left and no one to tell us that everything will be alright, my family gave me up to God and asked for help. They prayed for me and during that time of prayer of nine days I felt weird one morning. I couldn't see and I was in so much pain from my lower back to my feet. I couldn't stand up and the doctors couldn't see what was happening. By the third day, my defenses went up and my bone marrow was functioning normally.
I felt as if I've been under surgery and my headaches were gone and I could clearly feel as if the back of my head has been stitched.
At the same time, my sister felt the same pain I felt and we couldn't explain it. Since then, I've been recovering every day and now it's been a year and a half since I was intensive care.
Eating healthily, taking my medicine, excercising and trusting in God has helped me get through this huge lesson. Now that I am back since this June 19, 2014 I would like to finish my studies but because of the debt I have from the treatment my family can't help me go to school.
When I left my university I ended up owing money from the year and a half I attended the school. I really can't work now and looking for a job makes it much harder that even if I do get a job I would have to delay my studies and my debt keeps me from moving forward.
So today, I would like to ask you to help me continue my studies and pay back the debt so that I may go on with my life. I have always been a good student and always worked hard to get far. I was the valedictorian of 2010 in Jane Addams High School in the Bronx and the first one in my family going to a university.
please take into consideration this letter I am writing to you and thank you for taking the time to read my story, may God bless you all. Prayers are also acceptable. :)
Organizer
Gloria Gallegos
Organizer
Bronx, NY
