Marissas acute Lukemia chemo treatment

Hi everyone! I have never did this before. This is extremely close to my heart and every dollar will help go to a great cause. I will copy and paste a summary of the situation right from the source- Marissa herself. Marissa is Peters daughter. As many of you know- Peter is not only my business partner but one of my Very best friends! Marissa needs your help and prayers please! With all gratitude -Kyle Please read below:

Friday our lives took a turn. I went for routine pregnancy blood work and 12 hours later was rushed to Lehigh Valley Hospital at the urgency of our midwife, Abby.

(Who, by the way, is one of the most incredible women ever - Cardinal Birth Midwifery Service)

Early Saturday we were presented with critical blood levels and a diagnosis of “acute” leukemia. ‍ (Come to find out, the leukemia has probably been developing for a couple months.) Throughout the day a family member contacted a friend, who contacted a friend, who took a shot and sent an email to one of the top oncology doctors at Penn about my condition : “22 week pregnant woman with leukemia”.

Saturday night I was MedEvac’d (not in the super cool helicopter tho ) to Penn.

Incredible nurses began to fill vial after vial of blood to be sent for labs.

Today, Sunday, a team of doctors presented us with a plan. In a perfect world this plan should work. Beginning tomorrow I should start chemotherapy for 7 days. I will remain in the hospital for observation and to support my white blood cell growth. Acute Myeloid Leukemia is what they suspect I have. (Also, I refuse to Google.) Tests are being done to confirm that.

After that it *should* be one treatment, once a month, for three months. Somewhere in there the bone marrow will be tested again, possibly needing stem cells.

We understand all the risks involved for Baby Olivia, and are asking for God’s protection over my womb. I have a strange comfort that she will be ok through the process - and of course CHOP is right across the street. We have prayed, cried over, and waited so long for this baby. Please shower her with God’s promises and mercies.

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The amount of love shown to Mark, Ben, Baby Olivia, and me is massive. I cry almost constantly because it’s such a comfort to know how many people are praying for me and Baby Olivia, but also because I have moments of self-pity. (Who wouldn’t.)

We have had friends buy us meals, clean our house, take care of our dog, watch Ben, and offer whatever services we may need. As someone who really likes to help others, and struggles with allowing others to help me - we are accepting the help.

Am I scared? Yes.

Am I confident in Jesus? Even more yes.

This team at Penn was brought together for such a time as this.

Tomorrow, before I start treatment, Mark and I will be given time to visit with Ben. Once I begin treatment anyone under 18 will not be allowed to visit me.

That’s a month.

That’s a really long time.

Please love on my baby boy for me.

I’ll do my best to keep everyone updated.

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