Robert's Stem Cell Transplant
Donation protected
Hi everyone,
I am Robert Valdez or known to some as Bobby. Some may already know that I have Cancer and some may not, but I am going to share my story with you and give you a glimpse of my life while battling Cancer. I was first diagnosed in April 2010 with stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma and did chemotherapy for 6-12 months. My new priority and goal at that time became fighting to survive.
I was poked, sliced, diced and like so many I lived to tell the story. At the end of the day I was just happy to be a survivor no matter the pain that was endured. The pain just became my new 'normal' and after those 6-12 months of battling Cancer I then went into remission in October 2010 and celebrated life once again! Like so many I just wanted to live, work, hangout with friends, family, travel and simply enjoy life.
However, in October 2015 just a few months ago I had gone to the doctors and sadly discovered that the Cancer came back. My ears were pierced again from those three words that I dreaded so much "You have Cancer." In that instant I had many flashbacks to 2010 and mentally cried yet smiled on the outside
My Oncologist told me that the best treatment would be to undergo a Stem Cell Transplant aka Bone Marrow Transplant; I was immediately jolted with fear of the unknown. It was all so foreign to me, but I soon became my best research Scientist and that's when my second journey began. I started Chemotherapy in October 2015 and still do Chemo' prior to my stem cell transplant. Little did I know how expensive some of my medications would be along with co-pays to cure myself from Cancer. I have already spent thousands of dollars since October and will continue until my transpalnt is completed in February and March 2016.
For those who know me I am not a person who often asks for help. Maybe it's pride or maybe it's my ego, but at this time in my life.....I am asking for help. I will use any funds that are generously donated for my medications, which are injections that I give myself here at home, co-pays, and of course my co-pay for the Stem Cell Transplant.
I am truly so thankful for the love and support from family, friends, colleagues and savor each moment that I get to spend or talk to you. Having Cancer twice definitely puts a deeper perspective on life. My priorities are just being able to sleep comfortably with no or little pain, eat well, not feel so exhausted and just live!
And with that, I will finally beging my Stem Cell Transplant (Autologous) meaning that I will be my own donor. I will have one more round of chemo on January 22 and will begin to inject myself twice a day for 14 days. Then I will have surgery on January 29 to install a chest catheter and February 1-5 stem cells will be collected. I will finally be hospitalized on February 10 and undergo 7 days of extensive Chemotherapy prior to the stem cell transplant. I should then be in the hospital for about 4 weeks and my new birthday will be sometime in middle of February, as my Oncologist says the cells of life.
This truly means very much to me for any donations and I can't express enough how truly thankful I would be. Thank you for giving me another chance at life!
Love always,
Robert Valdez aka Bobby!
I am Robert Valdez or known to some as Bobby. Some may already know that I have Cancer and some may not, but I am going to share my story with you and give you a glimpse of my life while battling Cancer. I was first diagnosed in April 2010 with stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma and did chemotherapy for 6-12 months. My new priority and goal at that time became fighting to survive.
I was poked, sliced, diced and like so many I lived to tell the story. At the end of the day I was just happy to be a survivor no matter the pain that was endured. The pain just became my new 'normal' and after those 6-12 months of battling Cancer I then went into remission in October 2010 and celebrated life once again! Like so many I just wanted to live, work, hangout with friends, family, travel and simply enjoy life.
However, in October 2015 just a few months ago I had gone to the doctors and sadly discovered that the Cancer came back. My ears were pierced again from those three words that I dreaded so much "You have Cancer." In that instant I had many flashbacks to 2010 and mentally cried yet smiled on the outside
My Oncologist told me that the best treatment would be to undergo a Stem Cell Transplant aka Bone Marrow Transplant; I was immediately jolted with fear of the unknown. It was all so foreign to me, but I soon became my best research Scientist and that's when my second journey began. I started Chemotherapy in October 2015 and still do Chemo' prior to my stem cell transplant. Little did I know how expensive some of my medications would be along with co-pays to cure myself from Cancer. I have already spent thousands of dollars since October and will continue until my transpalnt is completed in February and March 2016.
For those who know me I am not a person who often asks for help. Maybe it's pride or maybe it's my ego, but at this time in my life.....I am asking for help. I will use any funds that are generously donated for my medications, which are injections that I give myself here at home, co-pays, and of course my co-pay for the Stem Cell Transplant.
I am truly so thankful for the love and support from family, friends, colleagues and savor each moment that I get to spend or talk to you. Having Cancer twice definitely puts a deeper perspective on life. My priorities are just being able to sleep comfortably with no or little pain, eat well, not feel so exhausted and just live!
And with that, I will finally beging my Stem Cell Transplant (Autologous) meaning that I will be my own donor. I will have one more round of chemo on January 22 and will begin to inject myself twice a day for 14 days. Then I will have surgery on January 29 to install a chest catheter and February 1-5 stem cells will be collected. I will finally be hospitalized on February 10 and undergo 7 days of extensive Chemotherapy prior to the stem cell transplant. I should then be in the hospital for about 4 weeks and my new birthday will be sometime in middle of February, as my Oncologist says the cells of life.
This truly means very much to me for any donations and I can't express enough how truly thankful I would be. Thank you for giving me another chance at life!
Love always,
Robert Valdez aka Bobby!
Organizer
robert valdez
Organizer
Hacienda Heights, CA