Casey's Combat
Donation protected
Hey everybody. I'm Casey, 23, and I'm battling Leukemia.
Before I got sick, my life was pretty normal. I live in a little town with my parents, Keith and Kathy. I have an older brother, a boyfriend, a few close friends, and up until I was diagnosed, a job. I was working at the Eat N Park in town at the time as a server. It was a relatively new job, but I loved it and everyone made me feel like family.
About two weeks before I was diagnosed, I got this tingly feeling in my gums. It was just the first few front teeth, but I knew something wasn't right. I made a dentist appointment, but couldn't be seen until the next week. I thought I could last but the pain got too unbearable by the weekend. I had to go to Med Express. They thought it was some sort of infection, maybe gingivitis. I was given some medication and sent home, being told to keep my dentist apt. The dentist agreed it was most likely gingivitis, and gave my teeth a good cleaning.
Problem solved, right? Nope.
The week that followed absolutely sucked. I was sleeping more than normal, headaches, nausea, and random bruising. I thought I had just gotten the flu, and being 5'3" doesn't work too well in a restaurant setting, I was bruising from climbing around. By Wednesday, I was pretty much confined to the couch. I was entirely too tired and weak to do anything. I had an appointment to see my regular doctor Friday, I just had to make it til then. When I saw my doc, he was under the impression it was just an infection from the gingivitis, that I would be fine. I had also some sort of lip blister pop up, that made half my lower lip look like the Kylie Jenner challenge. This too, was probably part of the infection. Saturday, I had awesome tickets for the Pirates game. I tried so hard to get ready, but to no avail. I was entirely too sick to go. Sunday morning, Mom was ready to go to the ER. I had a bit of a fever at this point and could not make it off the couch. My stubbornness said, "let me nap, and if I don't feel better we can go to Med Express. I don't need the ER." I woke up about five hours later, still feeling awful. To Med Express we went.
Med Express was FILLED with people. We must have waited two hours. Finally, I was taken back. The doctor took one look at me and said, "you have to go to the ER, you need bloodwork. I have no idea what's wrong." To the ER we went. The waiting room here was much less packed, and I went back to a room rather quickly. A nurse came in and took my blood, which is a first for me, and that's when my wait began. Mom and I waited there for what seemed like forever, but finally, we got an answer.
A doctor and two nurses walked in, and that's when I knew two things: I didn't have the flu, and April 19 would be a day I'd never forget. The doc told me my blood counts were abnormally low, so it was no surprise I was so tired. He then said the reason they were so low... was because I had leukemia. My heart sank, I immediately began to cry, and prayed to God not to let me die. Mom grabbed my hand, and the doctor tried to explain what was happening. I needed to start treatment ASAP for my best shot. He and another nurse left to start my transport process. The nurse who remained asked me about my faith. I was far too blubbery so Mom told her we were believers and knew God would see me through this. She told us she was a survivor, and prayed with us. I truly believe God sent her to us for comfort. Mom soon left to get Dad, who was clueless about the diagnosis, and some clothes I'd be more comfortable in at the hospital. They were soon back and eventually we made our way to Shadyside.
It was about 3 am when we finally got there, but everyone was still so pleasant with me. They were focused on making me feel as comfortable as possible. After more bloodwork, tests, fluids, IVs, and everything else, we could finally rest our eyes. The first few days were filled with so many tests and scans. Not only did I have leukemia, but I had pneumonia and a staph infection as well. This pushed back chemo about a week.
During my stay, I received weekly chemo, biopsies, and lumbar punctures, and daily blood draws from my PICC line. By my third week, my bone marrow biopsy had reported my blood was clear, no more leukemia! But, treatments and the plan had to continue. My side effects were minimal: a constant headache, little bit of hair loss, and being tired. I was weaker than before, not being able to do more than some laps around the hospital wing. When I was finally able to leave the hospital and get some food, I fell in the middle of the street, scraping myself up. I was in rather rough shape. After thirty-something days, I was finally able to go home. I was under the impression I would be able to regain some strength, and maybe work a little, before starting my second stage of treatment. Boy, was I wrong. I was set to start the next week, and so I did.
The second stage was much more intense. I had to get a port and get various drugs Monday-Thursday for two weeks at a time. During those breaks, I would get other drugs. They say it's the roughest part of treatment and they are right. I developed pneumonia, again, plus a cold. I was almost hospitalized for nausea, I couldn't keep anything down for about a week. I was having headaches, getting tired again, losing so much hair, it pretty much sucked. I expressed interest in a wig, and immediately my boyfriend's sister was on it. She found a few friends willing to donate their locks to make me a wig. It will cost a pretty penny, but their kindness made all of that crap worth it. Last Tuesday was the day I finished that stage, getting a bone marrow biopsy to be sure I'm still clear. Friday I'll find out the results and hopefully move to the next stage.
This stage is supposed to be less intense, but I'll still be unable to go back to work. Even though I'll only be going about once a week, my immune system and body isn't ready for that kind of work. I will be so happy when I can clock into work again.
Through all of this, I have received so much love and support from family and friends, and continue to do so. It's a blessing to know so many people are praying for you, there truly is power in prayer. Through the chemo, lumbar punctures, bone marrow biopsies, and everything else, my faith grew. I took this time not to hate God, but to thank Him. I thanked Him for all of my doctors, nurses, aides, donors, family, and friends He has put in front of me. I still do and always will. They are true Angels.
Now that I'm home, the bills are rolling in. Insurance, my parents, and savings can only help so much. I know God will provide, but the stress is overwhelming. I cannot do this alone. When this is all said and done, I'd really love to get a dog. I have been without one for so long, it's like a part of me is missing. Once I can get back to work and save up, I'm determined to go to Disneyland and ride the teacups. It's something I've always wanted to do, and this experience is making me realize we need to live for today. I'm not taking life for granted anymore. I'm going to do whatever God has planned for me, because He saved me. I am so unbelievably thankful for everyone helping and supporting me in my fight. Thank you all so very much, God Bless.
Before I got sick, my life was pretty normal. I live in a little town with my parents, Keith and Kathy. I have an older brother, a boyfriend, a few close friends, and up until I was diagnosed, a job. I was working at the Eat N Park in town at the time as a server. It was a relatively new job, but I loved it and everyone made me feel like family.
About two weeks before I was diagnosed, I got this tingly feeling in my gums. It was just the first few front teeth, but I knew something wasn't right. I made a dentist appointment, but couldn't be seen until the next week. I thought I could last but the pain got too unbearable by the weekend. I had to go to Med Express. They thought it was some sort of infection, maybe gingivitis. I was given some medication and sent home, being told to keep my dentist apt. The dentist agreed it was most likely gingivitis, and gave my teeth a good cleaning.
Problem solved, right? Nope.
The week that followed absolutely sucked. I was sleeping more than normal, headaches, nausea, and random bruising. I thought I had just gotten the flu, and being 5'3" doesn't work too well in a restaurant setting, I was bruising from climbing around. By Wednesday, I was pretty much confined to the couch. I was entirely too tired and weak to do anything. I had an appointment to see my regular doctor Friday, I just had to make it til then. When I saw my doc, he was under the impression it was just an infection from the gingivitis, that I would be fine. I had also some sort of lip blister pop up, that made half my lower lip look like the Kylie Jenner challenge. This too, was probably part of the infection. Saturday, I had awesome tickets for the Pirates game. I tried so hard to get ready, but to no avail. I was entirely too sick to go. Sunday morning, Mom was ready to go to the ER. I had a bit of a fever at this point and could not make it off the couch. My stubbornness said, "let me nap, and if I don't feel better we can go to Med Express. I don't need the ER." I woke up about five hours later, still feeling awful. To Med Express we went.
Med Express was FILLED with people. We must have waited two hours. Finally, I was taken back. The doctor took one look at me and said, "you have to go to the ER, you need bloodwork. I have no idea what's wrong." To the ER we went. The waiting room here was much less packed, and I went back to a room rather quickly. A nurse came in and took my blood, which is a first for me, and that's when my wait began. Mom and I waited there for what seemed like forever, but finally, we got an answer.
A doctor and two nurses walked in, and that's when I knew two things: I didn't have the flu, and April 19 would be a day I'd never forget. The doc told me my blood counts were abnormally low, so it was no surprise I was so tired. He then said the reason they were so low... was because I had leukemia. My heart sank, I immediately began to cry, and prayed to God not to let me die. Mom grabbed my hand, and the doctor tried to explain what was happening. I needed to start treatment ASAP for my best shot. He and another nurse left to start my transport process. The nurse who remained asked me about my faith. I was far too blubbery so Mom told her we were believers and knew God would see me through this. She told us she was a survivor, and prayed with us. I truly believe God sent her to us for comfort. Mom soon left to get Dad, who was clueless about the diagnosis, and some clothes I'd be more comfortable in at the hospital. They were soon back and eventually we made our way to Shadyside.
It was about 3 am when we finally got there, but everyone was still so pleasant with me. They were focused on making me feel as comfortable as possible. After more bloodwork, tests, fluids, IVs, and everything else, we could finally rest our eyes. The first few days were filled with so many tests and scans. Not only did I have leukemia, but I had pneumonia and a staph infection as well. This pushed back chemo about a week.
During my stay, I received weekly chemo, biopsies, and lumbar punctures, and daily blood draws from my PICC line. By my third week, my bone marrow biopsy had reported my blood was clear, no more leukemia! But, treatments and the plan had to continue. My side effects were minimal: a constant headache, little bit of hair loss, and being tired. I was weaker than before, not being able to do more than some laps around the hospital wing. When I was finally able to leave the hospital and get some food, I fell in the middle of the street, scraping myself up. I was in rather rough shape. After thirty-something days, I was finally able to go home. I was under the impression I would be able to regain some strength, and maybe work a little, before starting my second stage of treatment. Boy, was I wrong. I was set to start the next week, and so I did.
The second stage was much more intense. I had to get a port and get various drugs Monday-Thursday for two weeks at a time. During those breaks, I would get other drugs. They say it's the roughest part of treatment and they are right. I developed pneumonia, again, plus a cold. I was almost hospitalized for nausea, I couldn't keep anything down for about a week. I was having headaches, getting tired again, losing so much hair, it pretty much sucked. I expressed interest in a wig, and immediately my boyfriend's sister was on it. She found a few friends willing to donate their locks to make me a wig. It will cost a pretty penny, but their kindness made all of that crap worth it. Last Tuesday was the day I finished that stage, getting a bone marrow biopsy to be sure I'm still clear. Friday I'll find out the results and hopefully move to the next stage.
This stage is supposed to be less intense, but I'll still be unable to go back to work. Even though I'll only be going about once a week, my immune system and body isn't ready for that kind of work. I will be so happy when I can clock into work again.
Through all of this, I have received so much love and support from family and friends, and continue to do so. It's a blessing to know so many people are praying for you, there truly is power in prayer. Through the chemo, lumbar punctures, bone marrow biopsies, and everything else, my faith grew. I took this time not to hate God, but to thank Him. I thanked Him for all of my doctors, nurses, aides, donors, family, and friends He has put in front of me. I still do and always will. They are true Angels.
Now that I'm home, the bills are rolling in. Insurance, my parents, and savings can only help so much. I know God will provide, but the stress is overwhelming. I cannot do this alone. When this is all said and done, I'd really love to get a dog. I have been without one for so long, it's like a part of me is missing. Once I can get back to work and save up, I'm determined to go to Disneyland and ride the teacups. It's something I've always wanted to do, and this experience is making me realize we need to live for today. I'm not taking life for granted anymore. I'm going to do whatever God has planned for me, because He saved me. I am so unbelievably thankful for everyone helping and supporting me in my fight. Thank you all so very much, God Bless.
Organizer
Casey Rae
Organizer
Monongahela, PA