Help Phil Fight Leukemia
Donation protected
Overview
Phil Tomlinson (my dad) is receiving treatment for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and needs your help to pay medical, home, and insurance bills during this time that he's unable to work.
What happened?
In February 2018, Phil got very sick with the flu. It wiped him out every day after work, gave him some trouble breathing, and hung around longer than expected. After some negative chest x-rays and some theraflu, things continued to get a little worse.
In early May, the doctor recommended getting some bloodwork done to see what they could learn. They called him soon after to say he likely had cancer and probably some form of lymphoma and he was admitted to the hospital where he spent several days and nights getting extensive transfusions trying to get his red blood cell count back up and prevent a likely heart attack.
In the coming weeks my dad learned that he had stage 4 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia; a very treatable cancer though (great news) - it was a type of cancer that is quite common and there's a large body of research and treatment options! However, it was pretty far progressed and had put his white blood cell count way up which was depleting his red blood cell and platelet counts. He had lost 25 pounds but was feeling better after getting all these transfusions as well as support from his family and friends.
Treatment
We are now at the stage of treatment. Phil has a great prognosis - and multiple doctors have said there's no reason he shouldn't be able to go into remission. We just started Monday, 6/25/18!
It is an expensive and aggressive combination of Rituximab antibody therapy drug to target the cancer where it starts and Treanda which is a chemotherapy drug to help put the cancer into remission. The initial recommendations from the doctor are 4-6 months of treatment with these two drugs along with regular blood and platelet transfusions and anti-nausea drugs to help keep his energy, appetite, and weight up. Throughout this time his doctors have said he should not be working or doing much physical activity because of his compromised immune system and lowered platelet counts which inhibits his blood's ability to clot and his wounds to heal.
How you can help!
First off, thank you for coming here to support Phil. This has been a life changing event and he has appreciated the support and love his friends and family have been giving him so effusively. His connections with each and every one of you have kept him in a positive state of mind and feeling good about the long road of recovery ahead.
But his doctor has said he won't be able to work while he is receiving treatment and he could use your help with the medical bills and the existing monthly bills for his home, utilities, groceries, and health insurance premiums. His health insurance only covers part of the total cost of the drugs, transfusions, appointments, and treatment. We've set a goal to try to meet these needs over a 6 month period so he can concentrate on getting well and not worry about keeping afloat or making decisions about his treatment based solely on cost and debt.
We will be posting regular updates as he receives treatment and works to heal his body and mind. Thank you for your kindness and generosity and please feel free to write to my dad when you're thinking of him and sending him prayers, good thoughts, and get-healthy wishes.
He can beat this with your help!
Phil Tomlinson (my dad) is receiving treatment for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and needs your help to pay medical, home, and insurance bills during this time that he's unable to work.
What happened?
In February 2018, Phil got very sick with the flu. It wiped him out every day after work, gave him some trouble breathing, and hung around longer than expected. After some negative chest x-rays and some theraflu, things continued to get a little worse.
In early May, the doctor recommended getting some bloodwork done to see what they could learn. They called him soon after to say he likely had cancer and probably some form of lymphoma and he was admitted to the hospital where he spent several days and nights getting extensive transfusions trying to get his red blood cell count back up and prevent a likely heart attack.
In the coming weeks my dad learned that he had stage 4 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia; a very treatable cancer though (great news) - it was a type of cancer that is quite common and there's a large body of research and treatment options! However, it was pretty far progressed and had put his white blood cell count way up which was depleting his red blood cell and platelet counts. He had lost 25 pounds but was feeling better after getting all these transfusions as well as support from his family and friends.
Treatment
We are now at the stage of treatment. Phil has a great prognosis - and multiple doctors have said there's no reason he shouldn't be able to go into remission. We just started Monday, 6/25/18!
It is an expensive and aggressive combination of Rituximab antibody therapy drug to target the cancer where it starts and Treanda which is a chemotherapy drug to help put the cancer into remission. The initial recommendations from the doctor are 4-6 months of treatment with these two drugs along with regular blood and platelet transfusions and anti-nausea drugs to help keep his energy, appetite, and weight up. Throughout this time his doctors have said he should not be working or doing much physical activity because of his compromised immune system and lowered platelet counts which inhibits his blood's ability to clot and his wounds to heal.
How you can help!
First off, thank you for coming here to support Phil. This has been a life changing event and he has appreciated the support and love his friends and family have been giving him so effusively. His connections with each and every one of you have kept him in a positive state of mind and feeling good about the long road of recovery ahead.
But his doctor has said he won't be able to work while he is receiving treatment and he could use your help with the medical bills and the existing monthly bills for his home, utilities, groceries, and health insurance premiums. His health insurance only covers part of the total cost of the drugs, transfusions, appointments, and treatment. We've set a goal to try to meet these needs over a 6 month period so he can concentrate on getting well and not worry about keeping afloat or making decisions about his treatment based solely on cost and debt.
We will be posting regular updates as he receives treatment and works to heal his body and mind. Thank you for your kindness and generosity and please feel free to write to my dad when you're thinking of him and sending him prayers, good thoughts, and get-healthy wishes.
He can beat this with your help!
Organizer and beneficiary
Niko Tomlinson
Organizer
Forestville, OH
Phil Tomlinson
Beneficiary