Rachael’s Leukemia Recovery

Rachael Calvert is a smart, funny, sweet but sassy 15 year old. The night of Monday, August 22, 2022 she was admitted into the Johnson City Medical Center and just a few hours later in the early hours of Tuesday, August 23, 2022 she was diagnosed with leukemia. 24 hours later Rachael and her mom were flown to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and her dad drove 10 hours to meet them there. After doctors doing several procedures (a central line placed (Hickman), a bone marrow aspiration/biopsy, and a lumbar puncture with her first dose of chemo) they were able to confirm the specific kind of leukemia she has- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Because of the seriousness of her sickness and needing much treatment she will be at St. Jude’s for at least 6 months, accompanied by her mom and her dad. With the results coming back from her spinal tap revealing cancer cells in her cerebral spinal fluid she will have to continue having a lumbar puncture with chemo throughout her stay on top of her chemo she receives every night through her IV. Nobody is ever prepared to go through something like this. For her parents especially, everything happened so fast. They both have jobs they had to give a short notice to about the situation and unfortunately bills will still need to be paid throughout the months they are in Memphis. Any amount will be more than appreciated and every donation made will be given directly to the family. Even with high spirits, a huge amount of support, loads of prayers, and much faith this is a lot for them to go through and process. With Rachael having continuous platelet transfusions due to her body not retaining the platelets as well as more lumbar punctures, lots of chemo on the daily and more bone marrow biopsy’s, they have enough to focus on. Her parents watching their child sick in a hospital bed, day in and day out, being poked and prodded is more than enough stress and worry. They shouldn’t have to worry about back home expenses as well. Please continue to pray for the three of them. They are staying optimistic and everyone is believing and knowing the Almighty God will get Rachael through this. She is #RaeStrong and we are all #teamRachaelAnne.♥️