Leah's long uphill battle with Multiple Myeloma

Hi, my name is Lenneth and I'm raising funds in behalf of my brother-in-law and my sister Leah Joy Laureta. Below is the heartfelt letter he prepared for kind-hearted persons out there:

My name is Elmer, and please allow me to tell you the story of my wife Leah.

Leah is the love of my life. She's a wonderful and supportive wife, a loving and caring mother, a true friend to many. She’s the type of person that could light up the room with her smile. But behind that smile is a person who has had her fair share of trials. Trials that made her strong….

I won’t forget when I lost my job during the onslaught of the Covid 19 pandemic. I was the family's breadwinner, but this time, there was no bread to bring home. Little did I know that bread would be the solution to our financial woes. Leah could bake and bake she did! Her optimism was contagious. Her positivity was uplifting. Not only did her baking skills see our family thru the pandemic, but it also brought smile and joy to those who celebrated memorable occasions with her home-baked cakes.

Then came October 2022, the month Leah started experiencing pain in her shoulder and back. She had herself checked just to be sure. X-rays were done, nothing showed unusual, so her doctor prescribed antiinflammatory medications and pain killers. We didn't think too much of it anymore, reassured by the X-ray results and doctor's advice. We thought the pain was just because of her being overworked, so I advised her to slow down on her baking and get more rest.

January 2023: Leah felt excruciating pain on her back and ribs. She could hardly get up from bed, needing assistance to do so; only able to walk or sit for a few minutes at home. Her obvious physical distress was alarming. Thus we had her admitted to the hospital. She was seen by specialist doctors, multiple bloodwork, X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans were done. She also underwent a bone marrow biopsy as per recommendation by her doctor. After all the tests and procedures, the dreaded news was finally revealed: Leah had Multiple Myeloma, a form of blood cancer.

We are blessed to have the support and love of family and close friends who helped us during this trying time of our life. Through their help, we were able to settle Leah's hospital bills, and she was deemed stable enough to be discharged from the hospital, for her to come home; stable, but not yet out off the woods. As Leah's hematologist explained to us, this will be a long and uphill battle. There will be several cycles of chemotherapy using Velcade & Dex. There will be maintenance drugs needed like Denosumab to strengthen her bones, and another drug to help her kidneys. Then there will be a Stem Cell Transplant to prolong remission.

The battle will be painful, the fight very costly not only financially, but also physically and emotionally. Leah is prepared physically and emotionally, but it is the financial cost of this fight that have us reeling since healthcare in the Philippines is very expensive. Leah would need chemotherapy, and the cost of this would be around $3,500 per cycle. And when her cancer cells are eradicated, then will she undergo the Stem Cell Transplant, costing a minimum of $25,000.

I have been married to Leah for more than a decade. I loved her then, and I love her more now. If I could live with her forever, I would. If only I could take her pain and make it my own, I gladly will. But I know it is not possible, so all I ask is for her to have a fighting chance against this dreadful disease. You maybe able to help her fight this battle by helping us with our financial burden. I beg for your generosity and love. Thru God's grace, and your kind hearts, we would at least give Leah the boost she needs. She is determined to fight but we need is your generous help. This is a fight between David and Goliath. We have everything needed except the stones as represented by your financial help. Please help us with the stones, help Leah slay her Goliath. From the bottom of our hearts, we sincerely thank you in advance. We are positive that thru the generosity of many, we could reach our financial goals.

May the Good LORD bless us all.

With our love and thanks,

Elmer Laureta/ Leah Joy Pulmones Laureta

P.S. Lenneth is Leah’s sister currently based in the U.S. and she organized this fund raising on our behalf because Philippines is not yet covered by GoFundMe. We fully trust that whatever you donate through her will reach us accordingly.

To our family and friends in the Philippines who would like to send their help directly, you may transfer it to:

Elmer Laureta – Bank of the Philippines Islands (BPI) - 9239939942