Donation protected
I am Hannah Olmos, a senior at San Diego State University majoring in English and Comparative Literature, with a minor in Religious Studies, and a certificate in Creative Writing. I am also a Senior Tutor with San Diego Mesa College at the LRC through MT2C. My goal is to graduate and teach creative writing at a college level after earning an MFA in Fiction, as well as teach creative writing at institutions such as prisons or juvenile detention centers in order to help share the stories of often silenced and marginalized voices.
This plan was put on hold by the unforeseeable.
On Thanksgiving 2023 I was admitted to Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego with a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Unfortunately this diagnosis came with the mutations of FLT3-IDT (Intermediate Risk) and t(X;6;9) generally associated with basophilia (Adverse Risk), which puts me at a Poor/High Risk prognosis with a very aggressive cancer of the blood and bones.
Since diagnosis I have undergone the 7+3 regiment of Chemo (11/27/23), as well as FLAG-IDA (1/2/24) coupled with a round of oral chemo via Midostaurin (1/9/24) to target my mutation, which has helped to put me in remission - less than 2% blasts in my system, when I walked in with a very high number of 80%.
However, my fight with AML is not over.
I am currently in the hospital for consolidation - extra chemo to keep the cancer at bay. I will have up to 4 extra cycles.
This is while I wait for match from the registry for a Bone Marrow Transplant which will be done at UCSD's Moore's Cancer Center within the next couple months.
I am raising funds because I can no longer work, I am not eligible for disability, and while my partner works it is not enough to sustain current needs and save up for our future. He should not have to shoulder this alone, especially with the future requirements of acting as caregiver after my transplant is completed, which will be the most difficult leg of this journey.
Funds will be used to take care of:
- Transportation: This includes car maintenance and gas to ensure access to necessary medical appointments and any other travel requirements - such as my partner's ability to get to work. Our car is currently at the mechanic as of February 9th, which has created a minor obstacle, as we are unsure what the costs to repair will be. Rideshares are expensive and medical transportation through my insurance requires a 2 week advance appointment which is not always efficient or helpful for time-sensitive situations.
- Pet Necessities: This includes food and potential/unexpected vet bills for my cats who are a large part of my emotional support through this situation.
- Water/Electricity Bill: This will help ensure the necessary payments for the constant amount of laundry through chemotherapy and for general sanitization, as well as the running of lights, HEPA purifiers, heaters, and potential medical equipment that may be required for my time at home after transplant.
- Food Costs: This will ensure I have what I need for a cancer/post-transplant related diet that may deviate from the diet of the household. It will be specifically tailored to ensure that I not only eat healthy, but remain healthy/safe during a lengthy period of heavy immunocompromising.
- Medical Expenses: While I have Medi-Cal insurance, I sit with the uncertainty that it will actually cover absolutely everything that I will be undergoing. Above all, this fundraiser will help to ensure a bit of financial security in the event of unexpected costs/bills which I am unable to cover. I am also hoping it can help towards payment of a potential caregiver to share the duties with my partner to help alleviate some of the responsibility he is and will be shouldering.
My goal is to survive this battle and return to life - to graduate, to work, and live as any normal person might despite AML being with me through the rest of my life.
With the aid of this fundraiser, I have a fighting chance.
I will be constantly updating this page as I move forward in the name of transparency and communication for those who may choose to donate. If you cannot donate, please share this page, donate blood/plasma, or sign up for the bone marrow registry at Be The Match.
Every bit of help counts, and I am filled with gratitude for your consideration.
Thank you.
Organiser
Hannah Olmos
Organiser
La Jolla, CA