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7/14/2025 UPDATE ON JAMIE:
It's hard to believe it was just four months ago we found out that my mom went from the picture of health to having high risk MDS, needing a bone marrow transplant to save her life. Since that day in March, life has been a constant whirlwind of change as we worked towards her transplant. This journey has involved tons of guidances from healthcare professionals and friends, a cross-country move to begin treatment at UPenn, a few tough weeks in the hospital battling pneumonia, finding a donor (YAY!), and seeing friends and family before the process begins. There have been a lot of lows, but also many highs. A lot of these high took shape as support from all our family and friends during this process. Whether visits, food, donations, words of love, prayers, comfort gifts, and other support, we thank you all from the bottom of our heart.
Now for the important update: My mom begins her transplant process TOMORROW. At some point in the day, we'll get the call and head to the hospital where she'll begin high-dose chemo conditioning followed by her bone marrow transplant. She'll be in the hospital for roughly a month, followed by 3-6 months recovery at home (with the support of her caretaking team - me and David) The next few months will be the hardest yet, but every day marks a step towards her hopefully long-term recovery.
You can follow along for updates on her Caringbridge if you'd like.
If you know our mom, Jamie, you know she’s a force of nature — strong, selfless, and always the first to show up for others. She’s spent her life caring for everyone around her. Now, she’s facing the biggest challenge of her life.
Just two months ago, our world turned upside down when she was diagnosed with high-risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a rare and aggressive blood cancer. One day she was fine, and the next we learned her immune system had nearly shut down. A simple cold could now be life-threatening.
Since her diagnosis, Jamie has spent weeks in the hospital, fighting off pneumonia and trying to get strong enough to begin treatment. The only chance to save her life is a bone marrow transplant — of course, she’s ready to fight with everything she’s got.
What’s Ahead
While we search for a donor, Jamie will start treatment to slow the cancer. Once a match is found, she’ll go through intensive chemotherapy followed by the transplant surgery. Recovery will be long and hard. She’ll be in the hospital for months followed by months of isolation at home and multiple hospital visits a week.
She is moving across the country to be near a transplant center and close to family and her support system in Philadelphia. While we hoped we had months to figure out a plan, the timeline was rapidly pushed up by her medical team, after being told she must begin treatment immediately in Philadelphia.
Sadly, she won’t be able to work during this time and will need help in navigating the financial burden. A bone marrow transplant is one of the most expensive medical procedures. On top of that are the costs of relocation, travel, housing, full-time caregiving, and lost income.
Why We’re Asking for Help
Jamie is not someone who asks for help — she’s always been the helper. She was a single mom who put herself through college and later grad school, worked multiple jobs, and still found time to serve others. She's immersed herself in charity efforts from cancer research to feeding the houseless communities, and she supported our dad (her ex-husband) through his fight and final days with cancer a little over a year ago.
She is so many people's rock and our superhero.
Your Donation Will Help With:
- Medical expenses not covered by insurance
- Relocation and housing during treatment
- Caregiving and transportation
- Post-op treatment and medications
- Lost wages during recovery
With all our love and gratitude,
Jessica + Devin