Help Juliette Overcome UC and Lymphoma

Hi all! Juliette needs some help. She has been battling Ulcerative Colitis (UC) for a few years now. After several years of trying numerous therapies, they were unable to control the constant flare her colon was in. Last year, during a routine colonoscopy, a biopsy showed Marginal Zone Lymphoma. From my understanding, this is a "non-aggressive" rare form of lymphoma that can be triggered by her high long-term use of immunosuppressants and the stress of being in a long-term "flare" of UC. This lymphoma can transition to the more aggressive form of lymphoma, but her triggers need to be controlled. They wouldn't have to do chemo unless it had spread outside of the colon. Unfortunately, her PET scan showed it had spread to 2 Lymph nodes in her neck. The plan was to do a round of Monoclonal Antibody infusions to try to gain control of her UC then be healthy enough to do chemo.

In yet another setback she started to have reactions to infusions and her UC showed no signs of improvement in follow up colonoscopies. Chemo was put on hold until she was healthy enough to tolerate it.

The decision was made to place an Ileostomy and allow her colon a chance to heal. The goal would be to have her reverse this ileostomy in 6 months after her colon is repaired.

She underwent this surgery December 12, 2024. As she heals from surgery she has since found her skin is sensitive and reactive to the adhesive that most common colostomy supplies use and has finally found some that she is not reactive to.

Unfortunately, as of January her Medicaid was suspended pending a redetermination. This is making her ability to get supplies impossible. She has struggled to maintain a job that understands her chronic illness and due to being immunocompromised she is not recommended to work in public settings. Every little bit can help her right now.