Continued Leukemia Support for the Weedman Family

September 13th, 2022, I was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia that is both chronic and acute and complicated to treat, with only 58 other documented cases. My white blood cell count was 670,000 per cubic milliliter, while a healthy person measures around 10,000. A week after my initial diagnosis, I was transferred to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City. There I underwent several procedures to try and save my life. The doctors told my wife to call family members as they were unsure I would live through the weekend.

Thankfully the prayers and blessings on my behalf allowed the doctors and nurses to perform miracles that were able to save my life! Unfortunately, the effects of Leukemia and chemotherapy have left me with some disabilities to overcome as I plan for how I will support my family in the future. Your Generosity is and has been a God-send for our family!

The funds from the first GoFundMe were placed in a special-use trust. And have been extremely useful and essential in keeping our family together during this crisis; however, the funds are not immediately available for use and can only be used for certain things. We ask that any future donations be made to this fund which will be deposited directly into Brianna's bank account. And we thank you so much for your generosity and support.

We have a date for re-admittance to the Hospital of December 21. They plan on administering radiation and higher doses of chemotherapy to kill my bone marrow completely so they can be replaced with donor cells. Luckily, 2 of my sisters are full genetic matches. We are blessed that my mom had 10 children because not everyone seeking a transplant is able to find a full genetic match.

After the bone marrow transplant, I'll be confined to a hospital bed for at least 30 days and be required to have a constant caregiver for at least 3 months after the transplant, so I am a little apprehensive about how all of the treatments will leave me. 70% of bone marrow transplantees get some form of graft verses host disease, and I am praying for a positive outcome. Your prayers are appreciated too!

I look forward to being re-admitted like you would look forward to serving a prison sentence. I try not to think about it. However, I know this is the best path for treating this disease, and I am fortunate to receive competent care.

Brianna is due with our 7th child in March, and we will probably have a family member stay with us to help while I still have a compromised immune system. I still have severe vertigo from losing hearing in my left ear, but it is getting better! They first had me using a walker, but I am now confident walking on my own, even if I look a little drunk when I walk. The Doctor has me taking Vitamin B6 for the numbness in my fingers and toes, but I fear that the nerve damage is permanent.

One of the chemo medications that I will be on for the foreseeable future is called ponatinib. The cash pay for the drug is $9500 for 15 pills. Luckily I have insurance, and hopefully, I can keep it.

I have so much to be grateful for and will be forever thankful for the angels who have supported my family and me through these unexpected and challenging times. Thank you all so much!