Bone Marrow Transplant Journey
Donation protected
My name is Michaele Paoli and I, along with friends, Toni, Paula & Pam are fundraising for our dear friend Cammy Stucchi. Cammy needs a Bone Marrow Transplant/Stem Cell Transplant for her diagnosis of Myelofibrosis/Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Due to this condition, Cammy is no longer working. She was scheduled for the transplant in January but unfortunately during the work up, her blood counts changed and she was no longer eligible. She needed to step back and undergo an additional two months of Chemo to “bridge” back on the Transplant track. If the treatment works, she will be scheduled for the Transplant in March, which will be 4 to 6 weeks in the hospital and 100 days of committed 24/7 care. While the journey is long, the transplant is the only hope for a cure. Funds will assist with all medical expenditures, gas for traveling to appointments downtown and help with basic living expenses that are mounting due to the lack of her income.
Here is Cammy's story:
I am 55. In my early 30's I was diagnosed with depression. The blessing of the diagnosis is that they did a blood test and found my platelet count was off the charts. I went through a bone marrow biopsy and testing for Leukemia. Fortunately, that was not the journey for me, at the time. They called my diagnosis Essential Thrombocytemia (ET). They suggested taking Hydroxeurea for lowering my platelet count and see how it goes. Way back then, they did not have as much information about this blood condition as they do today. Fortunately for me the Hydroxeurea worked, so for years I continued taking the medication, getting regular blood checks, and tracking symptoms. I did not dwell, live my life “scared”, or give much attention to the future track this blood condition would take, as timing was unknown.
ET/Myelofibrosis is not genetic. They say this is an “older person's disease,” but I have lived with this diagnosis for more than 24 years!! Living with this “condition”, as was originally told to me, it did not occur to me, I could have experienced difficulties getting pregnant and having children, not a clue! My main concern was having children at 38 and 41 yrs. old! That’s right, WOW!! The Amazing and Beautiful Gifts from God: Cayden is now 18, a Freshman in college and Brynn is 14, a Freshman in high school. Praise God!
In 2016 my counts changed. We went to Mayo and learned my ET had progressed to the next level of Myeloprolific Neoplasm (MPN), more specifically- Secondary Myelofibrosis. I had been told I would eventually need a Bone Marrow Transplant. We decided to go to the U of M Bone Marrow Clinic. We made steps of looking for a Donor and enrolled in their Transplant program. Fortunately for us, my blood counts stabilized, and once again, it was suggested to continue on my current path.
August of 2022 a blood test indicated another change in my blood counts, symptoms of bone pain and the progressive growth of my spleen (Splenomegaly) were indications of serious changes. The conversation with the U of M Bone Marrow Clinic said I should be looking to have a transplant in the next year, with Dr.’s guidance, we set our sights on Jan ’23. I was secured in the program, a donor informed and planning for the Bone Marrow Transplant began. During the process of testing/pre-op for the transplant procedure, I learned in the past three months my blood counts changed FAST, and I was no longer eligible for the transplant. A plan was formed for an additional two months of chemo to hopefully get me back on the Transplant track. The change is surprising and scary. A Bone Marrow Transplant is such a long process that waiting for the "Green Light" is challenging for our family, but with the support of God’s all knowing Love and Guidance, friends and family, we continue to charge ahead!
What is Myelofibrosis/Chronic Myeloid Leukemia?
Organizer and beneficiary
Michaele Paoli
Organizer
Wayzata, MN
Cammy Stucchi
Beneficiary