Help Dillon Defeat Leukemia (AML)
Donation protected
New job leads to fight for life – literally, and an awful Cancer Coaster ride.
September 16, 2019 my nephew Dillon Horner went to his new office in Quantico, VA to meet his co-workers and get settled into his new office space and role as System Administrator to System Engineer (yes he is a real computer whiz). He was just promoted and excited to start this new chapter.
Little did he know then that the actual space that would become his new remote office would be a room at the University of Virginia Medical center – where his promotion included completely unexpected titles of ‘Leukemia Patient’ and ‘Chemo Warrior’.
The Ginja Ninja (as he is known to many of his friends because of his red hair) would enter into an epic battle to save his very own life. A battle to rid his body of leukemia and a deadly virus – a fight in which he NOW needs our support!
The ER
The first few days in Dillon’s own words…..
September 17, 2019 –
The last time I started a new job, I was in pain the entire day then called off the following to have an emergency root canal! Exciting right?
Well, I took a new job this week. I went to the doctor after orientation to have something checked out. They drew some blood and said don't worry until the results came back. I went to work today and met my new team. I was there about an hour and a half then I got a message…The results came back and said to immediately head to the ER.
I've definitely outdone myself here...
(Clearly, his sense of humor was going to come into play now more than ever and his ability to rapidly search all online resources to understand what exactly the doctors were and weren’t saying.)
9/18 – My red, white, and platelet counts are critically low. Platelets help blood clot and should be at least 150. I came in at 5 and the transfusion only got me up to 10.
9/21 - No results until Monday at the soonest. There are many doctors looking into my case. They're strongly leaning towards PNH or Aplastic Anemia. I was told to plan on staying another week.
9/23 – Finally transferred to UVA Medical Center. Rerunning a lot of tests. Due for an EKG, central line, and another bone marrow biopsy. They said I should plan on being here at least a month.
9/27- (10 DAYS AFTER ENTERING THE HOSPITAL)
Diagnosis came back with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. AML. Starting chemo later….
The Rollercoaster ride called Cancer
(aka The Beast, Full Throttle, Wicked Twister)
Yes, any of those actual rollercoaster names could be the title for this battle that Dillon is now waging against cancer. You go slowly up the clickity-click side…then pause at the top just long enough to get completely freaked out…then hands up to the sky while you just try to enjoy the ride. Yeah right! A dark tunnel, an unexpected twist, then race through the next hill, up and down, up and down. Wheeeee, so excited for the thrills of good news!! Then all of a sudden a jerk and another corkscrew and now I just want to heave! Seriously – I don’t like this ride and want to get off. Well, now there is another slow climb. And, my turn isn’t over yet. Heck, I may get to ride several times. Lucky me. NOT!
The DIAGNOSIS, The SHOCK, The CHEMO, The NEWS
Acute Myeloid Leukemia. AML. WHAT?!!!
Yes, after those first long ten days (up the clickety-click hill) everyone quickly learned that AML is very aggressive and rare in someone who is just 29 years old. So much to learn, so much information, so much to take in and grasp. Shocking it was (hands in the air racing down the giant hill). No time to sit and try to wrap some understanding around this diagnosis. No time at all as the AML was diagnosed on Friday afternoon and by 9 pm Dillon was officially a chemo patient – receiving the most aggressive treatment available. How would his body react? Would this work? Can he survive this ride?
Jarrod, his partner, and husband since March 21, 2019, began the journey back and forth from their home in Woodbridge, VA, 2 hours away, to be at Dillon’s side for the entire ride. Jarrod does have to continue to work and often times can do that remotely from the hospital, driving back home as needed only to touch base with neighbors and friends caring for their dog Cheveo and watching their home. Dillon’s brothers traveled from Chicago and Missouri, as did his parents Jack and Jill. His Grandma and Aunt came from Indiana and Ohio to check in on them all, while Dillon began chemo. He is loved there is no doubt, by so many friends and family.
Incredible news: First round of chemo is a success in wiping out the AML cells. Woohoo!! But wait there is a wicked turn……
Bad news: There is an unidentified virus in Dillon’s body causing a cough and high temperature and no antibiotics seem to be effective. More tests. More medicines.
Kind-of Good news: Update from Jarrod last week…
Almost two days without a fever! Still feeling all around crummy though and will continue to feel pretty bad until his blood counts have risen. Now is a waiting game, waiting for his blood counts to start rising. They expect them to start rising within the next 9 or 10 days. Hopefully sooner because he's younger. To be able to go home he has to have no visible cancer (check), no fevers, and his blood counts (white, red, and platelets) have to rise.
Assisting along the way: All of the nurses and doctors at UVA have been amazing. The nurses are attentive, caring, well trained, and will fight for their patients. The doctors are highly intelligent, collaborative, and also take the time to answer any questions you have. These people are making miracles happen every day, and we couldn't be more thankful to them. We know they are trying to get us off this cancer coaster and we thank them for that.
FRIGHTENING DIVE DOWN the NEXT HUGE HILL
Sunday, October 20– From Jarrod...
The last several days have not been good. He has had some major setbacks. They moved him back to ICU last night and he now has a breathing tube. His body has been under attack with some previously unknown issue. They now identified it as Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia.
A super bug. This is not good due to a compromised immune system from cancer and chemo. However, it has been identified so with that the battle can continue – wipe out that super bug!!
As you can see this is not only a physical battle, it is also an emotional battle for Dillon, Jarrod and all of their family – a true Cancer Coaster.
The RIDER, The WARRIOR, The GINJA NINJA
Dillon is strong. Jarrod is strong.
Dillon is a fighter and of course a Ginja Ninja. And now beautifully bald. :)
(Along with his supportive brother Hunter-notice he kept the beard so we can tell the difference)
Dillon and Jarrod are both grateful to have such strong emotional support and an amazing medical team in this fight with them!
#ginjaninja #chemowarrior #leukemia fighter #familyfighters #friendwarriors
All of Dillon’s incredible treatment and support though comes with serious financial concerns and unexpected expenses, including extensive medical bills, future home healthcare costs, and travel/lodging costs for family to journey back and forth to be here for Dillon. All of this on top of regular monthly expenses including rent, car payments, insurance and of course care for his dog Cheveo.
With Dillon out of work for the past 5 weeks and counting, with no return to work in sight, you can only imagine how this financial uncertainty can take its toll on a person and their family.
THE COST OF THE CANCER COASTER
Dillon has never been one to ask for help unless it's absolutely necessary. It is NOW necessary.
His team of doctors at the UVA Medical Center are some of the best in the country and helping him fight the physical battle. The financial and emotional battle is where WE CAN HELP!
1. Please make a donation (no amount is too small)!
2. Leave a note of encouragement!!
3. Spread the word!!!
Together we can help in the financial fight so that Dillon can focus all of his energy on the physical fight! He is keeping his spirits positive and all our support will help in so many ways!!
Any and all money received from this Go Fund Me account will be used for the current, pending, and future expenses not covered by Dillon’s health insurance and personal finances, so he and Jarrod may continue to lead a semi-normal life while trying to get the treatment and help he needs.
True to his loving character, Dillon has determined any unneeded funds that may remain after all expenses are paid, will be donated to The Trevor Project, assisting youth in distress.
THE GOAL & Matching Grant
Our goal is to raise $25,000 to support Dillon, Jarrod and their family during this difficult time. Any contribution is greatly appreciated! And to get this fund growing there is a matching foundation donation. Anything donated today by 5pm will be matched, up to $1,500 – making your donation instantly doubled for Dillon!
Let’s Go Team DILLON!
Double your donation!!
Do it now!!!
Thank you so much for all of your support.
We will keep you all updated and aware of how the funding is being utilized. If you would like to join Dillon's Caring Bridge site to read updates as posted:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dillonhorner
September 16, 2019 my nephew Dillon Horner went to his new office in Quantico, VA to meet his co-workers and get settled into his new office space and role as System Administrator to System Engineer (yes he is a real computer whiz). He was just promoted and excited to start this new chapter.
Little did he know then that the actual space that would become his new remote office would be a room at the University of Virginia Medical center – where his promotion included completely unexpected titles of ‘Leukemia Patient’ and ‘Chemo Warrior’.
The Ginja Ninja (as he is known to many of his friends because of his red hair) would enter into an epic battle to save his very own life. A battle to rid his body of leukemia and a deadly virus – a fight in which he NOW needs our support!
The ER
The first few days in Dillon’s own words…..
September 17, 2019 –
The last time I started a new job, I was in pain the entire day then called off the following to have an emergency root canal! Exciting right?
Well, I took a new job this week. I went to the doctor after orientation to have something checked out. They drew some blood and said don't worry until the results came back. I went to work today and met my new team. I was there about an hour and a half then I got a message…The results came back and said to immediately head to the ER.
I've definitely outdone myself here...
(Clearly, his sense of humor was going to come into play now more than ever and his ability to rapidly search all online resources to understand what exactly the doctors were and weren’t saying.)
9/18 – My red, white, and platelet counts are critically low. Platelets help blood clot and should be at least 150. I came in at 5 and the transfusion only got me up to 10.
9/21 - No results until Monday at the soonest. There are many doctors looking into my case. They're strongly leaning towards PNH or Aplastic Anemia. I was told to plan on staying another week.
9/23 – Finally transferred to UVA Medical Center. Rerunning a lot of tests. Due for an EKG, central line, and another bone marrow biopsy. They said I should plan on being here at least a month.
9/27- (10 DAYS AFTER ENTERING THE HOSPITAL)
Diagnosis came back with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. AML. Starting chemo later….
The Rollercoaster ride called Cancer
(aka The Beast, Full Throttle, Wicked Twister)
Yes, any of those actual rollercoaster names could be the title for this battle that Dillon is now waging against cancer. You go slowly up the clickity-click side…then pause at the top just long enough to get completely freaked out…then hands up to the sky while you just try to enjoy the ride. Yeah right! A dark tunnel, an unexpected twist, then race through the next hill, up and down, up and down. Wheeeee, so excited for the thrills of good news!! Then all of a sudden a jerk and another corkscrew and now I just want to heave! Seriously – I don’t like this ride and want to get off. Well, now there is another slow climb. And, my turn isn’t over yet. Heck, I may get to ride several times. Lucky me. NOT!
The DIAGNOSIS, The SHOCK, The CHEMO, The NEWS
Acute Myeloid Leukemia. AML. WHAT?!!! Yes, after those first long ten days (up the clickety-click hill) everyone quickly learned that AML is very aggressive and rare in someone who is just 29 years old. So much to learn, so much information, so much to take in and grasp. Shocking it was (hands in the air racing down the giant hill). No time to sit and try to wrap some understanding around this diagnosis. No time at all as the AML was diagnosed on Friday afternoon and by 9 pm Dillon was officially a chemo patient – receiving the most aggressive treatment available. How would his body react? Would this work? Can he survive this ride?
Jarrod, his partner, and husband since March 21, 2019, began the journey back and forth from their home in Woodbridge, VA, 2 hours away, to be at Dillon’s side for the entire ride. Jarrod does have to continue to work and often times can do that remotely from the hospital, driving back home as needed only to touch base with neighbors and friends caring for their dog Cheveo and watching their home. Dillon’s brothers traveled from Chicago and Missouri, as did his parents Jack and Jill. His Grandma and Aunt came from Indiana and Ohio to check in on them all, while Dillon began chemo. He is loved there is no doubt, by so many friends and family.
Incredible news: First round of chemo is a success in wiping out the AML cells. Woohoo!! But wait there is a wicked turn……
Bad news: There is an unidentified virus in Dillon’s body causing a cough and high temperature and no antibiotics seem to be effective. More tests. More medicines.
Kind-of Good news: Update from Jarrod last week…
Almost two days without a fever! Still feeling all around crummy though and will continue to feel pretty bad until his blood counts have risen. Now is a waiting game, waiting for his blood counts to start rising. They expect them to start rising within the next 9 or 10 days. Hopefully sooner because he's younger. To be able to go home he has to have no visible cancer (check), no fevers, and his blood counts (white, red, and platelets) have to rise.
Assisting along the way: All of the nurses and doctors at UVA have been amazing. The nurses are attentive, caring, well trained, and will fight for their patients. The doctors are highly intelligent, collaborative, and also take the time to answer any questions you have. These people are making miracles happen every day, and we couldn't be more thankful to them. We know they are trying to get us off this cancer coaster and we thank them for that.
FRIGHTENING DIVE DOWN the NEXT HUGE HILL
Sunday, October 20– From Jarrod...
The last several days have not been good. He has had some major setbacks. They moved him back to ICU last night and he now has a breathing tube. His body has been under attack with some previously unknown issue. They now identified it as Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia.
A super bug. This is not good due to a compromised immune system from cancer and chemo. However, it has been identified so with that the battle can continue – wipe out that super bug!!
As you can see this is not only a physical battle, it is also an emotional battle for Dillon, Jarrod and all of their family – a true Cancer Coaster.
The RIDER, The WARRIOR, The GINJA NINJA
Dillon is strong. Jarrod is strong.
Dillon is a fighter and of course a Ginja Ninja. And now beautifully bald. :)
(Along with his supportive brother Hunter-notice he kept the beard so we can tell the difference)
Dillon and Jarrod are both grateful to have such strong emotional support and an amazing medical team in this fight with them!
#ginjaninja #chemowarrior #leukemia fighter #familyfighters #friendwarriors
All of Dillon’s incredible treatment and support though comes with serious financial concerns and unexpected expenses, including extensive medical bills, future home healthcare costs, and travel/lodging costs for family to journey back and forth to be here for Dillon. All of this on top of regular monthly expenses including rent, car payments, insurance and of course care for his dog Cheveo.
With Dillon out of work for the past 5 weeks and counting, with no return to work in sight, you can only imagine how this financial uncertainty can take its toll on a person and their family.
THE COST OF THE CANCER COASTER
Dillon has never been one to ask for help unless it's absolutely necessary. It is NOW necessary.
His team of doctors at the UVA Medical Center are some of the best in the country and helping him fight the physical battle. The financial and emotional battle is where WE CAN HELP!
1. Please make a donation (no amount is too small)!
2. Leave a note of encouragement!!
3. Spread the word!!!
Together we can help in the financial fight so that Dillon can focus all of his energy on the physical fight! He is keeping his spirits positive and all our support will help in so many ways!!
Any and all money received from this Go Fund Me account will be used for the current, pending, and future expenses not covered by Dillon’s health insurance and personal finances, so he and Jarrod may continue to lead a semi-normal life while trying to get the treatment and help he needs.
True to his loving character, Dillon has determined any unneeded funds that may remain after all expenses are paid, will be donated to The Trevor Project, assisting youth in distress.
THE GOAL & Matching Grant
Our goal is to raise $25,000 to support Dillon, Jarrod and their family during this difficult time. Any contribution is greatly appreciated! And to get this fund growing there is a matching foundation donation. Anything donated today by 5pm will be matched, up to $1,500 – making your donation instantly doubled for Dillon!
Let’s Go Team DILLON!
Double your donation!!
Do it now!!!
Thank you so much for all of your support.
We will keep you all updated and aware of how the funding is being utilized. If you would like to join Dillon's Caring Bridge site to read updates as posted:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dillonhorner
Organizer and beneficiary
Jeanne Feldkamp
Organizer
Forestville, OH
Jarrod Owens
Beneficiary