Hi and thank you to everyone who takes the time to read this. My mom has chronic leukemia (diagnosed 9 years ago) and the last few years it has progressed significantly, especially the last 9 months. I won’t share the specific details, symptoms, labs, etc out of respect for her; she doesn’t know I’m doing this and is resistant to any help, especially financial, and unless you share a home with her, she is very convincing of “I’m fine!” She isn’t, though, but stays strong and in good spirits for her husband, her daughters, her grandkids and everyone else’s life she’s in. Most recently, she received a bone marrow biopsy to determine the progression of the cancer as well as to confirm the chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment plan moving forward. The name of it is CLL 14 and starts in two weeks at Moffitt in Tampa. Because of the monthly schedule of treatment, driving isn’t an option so hotels will be needed 3-4 nights during week 1 and week 3 of the month and then 1-2 nights for weeks 2 and 4 of the month, repeated for 3 months. Depending on the chemo side effects, she may need to stay over more often if 3 hours in the car isn't an option. After 3 months (1st round of treatment), labs and tests will be done to see what happens next.

Currently, my mom keeps saying it isn't a big deal and that everything is fine. She told me she's grateful but doesn't want to take people's hard-earned money. She doesn't want to be judged or have assumptions made, She doesn't want her leukemia treatment to be a gossip topic, nor does she want to take money away from other people who may need it more, ashe'd rather fly under the radar so to speak and live her life as if nothing is changing. I wish nothing was changing! Any feedback or advice would be appreciated! I want to respect and honor her wishes but we can't do this alone. She loves gofundme, redcross, st, jude's, and any opportunity to make someone's situation or life a little easier, until it comes to her own. My mom has never put herself first because that’s just how her heart is and she’s made a lot of lives brighter and better and filled with more love laughter well fed stomachs because of it. I just pray that she lets other people do the same for her. Thank you so much to those who already and always have!