❤️ MEDICAL UPDATE ❤️

My blood cultures along with a lack of red blood cells, hemoglobin, etc., have led to a referall to a local oncology team at the Brown University Health Center Institute at Rhode Island Hospital. Many blood cancers and disorders are up for consideration and further investigation such as Leukemia, Myelodysplastic syndrome, Myeloproliferative disease, Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (eg Hodgkin disease), Multiple myeloma and/or Hemophilia. It just doesn’t STOP!

I’m also awaiting the decision regarding aortic valve surgery while I continue to fight osteosarcoma in my right TMJ/jaw bone, left forearm, wrist and fingers, as well as, this gnarly blood linfection.

Some good news? My recent blood cultures show that only 2 organisms are active versus the previous 4 organisms.

So, I am now undergoing an intense 6-week antibiotic therapy before my next set of tests (TEE, ECHO, biopsy, blood cultures, a series of imaging, labs, etc.,) for the heart surgeon and his team.

They will then decide if my heart’s aortic valve must be replaced dependingon a variety of factors based surrounding my lab results, condition of aortic valve, size of vegetation, infarctions grown, overall response to the medications, etc.,

As for my osteosarcoma, for the time being the oncology team made a decision to switch to oral medication and prescribed a rather high dose of methotrexate to provide chemotherapy while I endure this antibiotic treatment.

[FYI: Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) line typically is used for long-term intravenous (IV) treatments such as chemotherapy and antibiotics.]

Maintaining a PICC line while at home for the course oftreatment course was considered but ultimately too risky with a direct line to my heart and undeniably weak immune system at this time.

With that, I REALLY need your help! ❤️

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*** PREVIOUS UPDATE ***

(RE: Antibiotic-Resistant Klebsiella-Specific

Gram-Negatibe A+ BLOOD STRUCTURE)

*** Colistin (polymyxin E) is a "last-resort" cationic polypeptide antibiotic to treat severe, multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacterial infections, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa/Acinetobacter baumannii. Colistin acts as a detergent, binding to and disrupting the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria.***

*** SECONDARY MEDICATIONS ***

MEDS CURRENTLY ON BOARD

• Cefepime — Maxipime

Cephalosporins, 4th Generation Antibiotic

• RE: Anaerobic Bacterial Infections

Metronidazole (Rx) —- Flagyl, Flagyl ER

Nitroimidazoles Antibiotic

• Amikacin Injection

Aminoglycoside Antibiotic

Ⓜ️ VENMO / PayPal / APPLE PAY Ⓜ️

@sleakthegeek —@Spring Leah Kortman

Hiyaaa! My name is Leah and you’ve been so very kind and generous to me.

First, I wanted to reach out and THANK YOU once again for all the support you’ve offered. I so very much wish that I was in a position to help others.

Alas, I have so very little and I’m hanging on by a thread right now…

Specifically, on top of osteosarcoma, I am fighting FOUR ORGANISMS in my blood.

Treatment resistant. I am beyond exhausted…

* Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE):

Often called "nightmare bacteria," these gut bacteria (* I HAVE Klebsiella pneumoniae *) resist carbapenems, a powerful last-resort antibiotic, leading to deadly hospital-acquired infections.

…and well, I’m FIGHTING on many levels. For my life. To keep up with the copays. My insurance plan had to change because I had to be able to see specialists outside of my own state.

The tumor on my TMJ joint/jaw has a very large tumor and a jaw specialist — along with a neuro specialist, ear specialist, and ENT specialist — were required. The only one we could find in the area is in Boston an hour away at Boston Medical Center…

I am about $247 short (before shipping) to receive my next round of treatments accordingly. I don’t understand why the system works this way…

Ⓜ️ VENMO / PayPal / APPLE PAY Ⓜ️

@sleakthegeek —@Spring Leah Kortman

I’ve tried so many venues to get support and have received some discounts from pharmaceutical companies, but it’s nothing compared to the costs and copays month after month.

It’s a major Gram-Negative bacterial infection and it’s very difficult to fight as they have the power to destroy antibiotics. I’ve been giving it my ALL, but missing doses is kicking my butt and I can’t sit inpatient due to my immune system.

It’s a wicked, wild circle.

Round and round we go…

If there is ANYTHING you can do to offer further support, I would be most grateful to you.

I NEED ANGEL DONATIONS

$10.00 / $20.00 / $30.00

A N Y AMOUNT H E L P S

GOAL: $182.00 / $247.16

(TOTAL COPAY TO OPTUMRX SPECIALTY

PHARMACY — INJECTION & ANTIBIOTICS

Ⓜ️ VENMO / PayPal / APPLE PAY Ⓜ️

@sleakthegeek —@Spring Leah Kortman

. . .

I’m not sure what else to do but ask my community. Even my doctors suggest that I reach out on social media for financial support.

It’s a SAD, SAD world as THAT is the GO TO…

Thank you for your time and consideration! ❤️

Sincerely…

In Solidarity,

Leah Kortman