My name is Mandy. Life hasn’t been the best, especially health wise but I’m a survivor! I have a rare form of blood cancer that rapidly progresses. I live over 3 hours away from my specialty Drs at UCSF.  

Here’s a little about me/my life.

I graduated in 2008 with a degree in Psychology. Then furthered my education, got certified as a suicidal interventionist. I was working full time, going to college full time, being a step mom and wife. My ex husband had multiple affairs. He was verbally and physical abusive. I stayed in the relationship for 6 years. At this time, I was just starting to get sick (Crohn’s disease and Lupus) I finally had enough abuse. I moved back home to restart my life with the support of my family (family is very important to me) Shortly after that I found out I had Cervical cancer (almost stage 3) at 29 years old. I was so lucky, I got a full hysterectomy and didn’t need chemo or radiation, thankfully. During this time, the Crohn’s and Lupus hit pretty hard. I tried to work. I started working at age 16. Working made me feel independent. Since I had a lot of free time I started an online support group revolving around how much our fur babies help us through our illnesses (whether it’s mental illness, physical/chronic illnesses or just a bad week). I’ve always been an animal lover. My fur babies help me everyday.. with cuddles, licking my tears away, not leaving my side. Their love is unconditional.

Fast forward to a year ago. The medication I was on for Crohn’s and Lupus over the years weren’t working. I was getting worse. Worse cramping and weakness that affects my legs and arms, painful lumps throughout my body, itching and painful skin lesions, face swelling, cold sweats, nausea/vomiting, migraines, shaking and horrible fatigue. Plus I’m in a lot of pain. I use a shower bench. Some days I have to use a walker. Im 40 years old. It’s depressing. It’s been tough. I didn’t know why I was feeling this way. I found out I have B-Cell Leukemia. It wasn’t ever Crohn’s or Lupus. So I was misdiagnosed and on the wrong treatment for years. 

I live in a rural area. The couple hospitals here haven’t and won’t be helpful. I do have the best medical team (UCSF) I’m already weak, in pain and fatigued. The trip is pretty hard on me. There’s just so much involved in this area of cancer. It’s complicated for sure (different types) which means a lot of testing that isn’t covered by insurance. Right now, I’m in the process of reaching out to Leukemia/Cancer non profit organizations. The waiting process, not knowing is the hardest.

In conclusion, even through all this, I feel extremely blessed to have a loving family, pets included. When you hear you have cancer, it seriously changes your outlook in life. Always appreciate the small things, eat another donut, listen to that music you deeply relate to, watch a scary movie to get your mind off life for a couple of hours and NEVER GIVE UP. Please keep me in your prayers and thoughts. If you can donate any amount of money I’d be grateful.