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First off, thank you for taking the time to read this post There are so many people needing help, every dollar counts. If you choose not to donate I ask that you please share this with anyone you know.
Megan's journey began with what she thought was just a flu in October 2013. She awoke on a Monday after not feeling well for a little while and was unable to walk as her bones were achy and she had no strength. She called an ambulance and was taken to the hospital in NY. The nurse asked Megan if she had leukemia becasue her blood counts were off, the answer was no, they ran the bloodwork again and she was given her diagnosis. Megan was told she has Acute Myeloid Leukemia, at 26, she became one of the many who are battling cancer. She was admitted immediately. She spent approximately 2 months in the hospital receiving multiple blood transfusions and receiving high doses of chemo. She celebrated her 27th birthday in the hospital surrounded by friends. In late December 2013 it was decided that Megan should be moved to Miami, FL for treatment and to be close to her mom (who is a single mom) and grandmother, her primary caregivers. She underwent more chemo, blood and platelet transfusions, as well as a bone marrow transplant on March 21, 2014. Her hospitalization up to this point was continuous since her original diagnosis, (other than about a week or so). She went into remission for a short period of time. The leukemia returned in June 2014, and it was even more aggressive. The decision was made, Megan needed to be moved again for treatment, it was a dire situation. This time, it was MD Anderson in Texas, the nation's best hospital for leukemia. Again, chemo, platelets, blood transfusions were her regiment along with 40 pills a day of medication. All of this in hopes of getting her ready for a secondary transplant. The transplant is scheduled to occur tomorrow October 17, 2014, it will be exactly one month before her 28th birthday. Megan has spent most of the last year in the hospital battling the cancer as well as blood infections, pneumonia, and other infections, all the results of the cancer and its effect on her immune system.
Megan is one of the kindest people you could ever meet. She was in the process of getting her masters degree in education when she was forced to leave her life in NYC. She loves kids and was adored by all her students. She loves sports especially the Miami Heat. Her love of life is still evident even while battling for her life. She was involved in camps for underprivileged kids and did whatever she could to help out kids and whomever else she could. She is also my niece, she is closer in age to me than my sister, so I consider her more of a sister than a niece. It is so difficult seeing the toll the past year has taken on our family. It is an emotional roller coaster that too many people are on because of this sucky disease. Megan has missed out on life for a year. She attended my sons 1st birthday via facetime in a hospital bed. Megan celebrated holidays attached to IVs, puked her brains out and lost her hair from chemo. She left her job and life in her dream city NY. Her body is constantly bruised and infections seem to always find their way in. She has not caught a break in a year. Her fight is still long from over. She will most likely be in the hospital on her 28th birthday, this time with nurses and doctors.
The added financial stress is just as tough. As of this posting, my sister (Megan's mom) and my mom(megan's grandmother) have reloacted to Texas. They take turns being in Texas and being in FL. My sister has been unable to work, and has rented out her house. They are paying rent for an apartment in TX as well as for homes in FL. The medical bills have started trickling in and will be thousands (maybe hundreds of thousands) once all of this is done. I am not one to ask for money, but I see the stress. I see the fear that this disease has instilled in our family. I can't be with my niece on a regular basis even though we facetime every day. All I can do is get the word out about Megan and ask for your help to ease some of the financial stresses she and the family are dealing with. Stresses that are felt everyday and will be felt for years to come.
Thank You again, for your support.
Megan's journey began with what she thought was just a flu in October 2013. She awoke on a Monday after not feeling well for a little while and was unable to walk as her bones were achy and she had no strength. She called an ambulance and was taken to the hospital in NY. The nurse asked Megan if she had leukemia becasue her blood counts were off, the answer was no, they ran the bloodwork again and she was given her diagnosis. Megan was told she has Acute Myeloid Leukemia, at 26, she became one of the many who are battling cancer. She was admitted immediately. She spent approximately 2 months in the hospital receiving multiple blood transfusions and receiving high doses of chemo. She celebrated her 27th birthday in the hospital surrounded by friends. In late December 2013 it was decided that Megan should be moved to Miami, FL for treatment and to be close to her mom (who is a single mom) and grandmother, her primary caregivers. She underwent more chemo, blood and platelet transfusions, as well as a bone marrow transplant on March 21, 2014. Her hospitalization up to this point was continuous since her original diagnosis, (other than about a week or so). She went into remission for a short period of time. The leukemia returned in June 2014, and it was even more aggressive. The decision was made, Megan needed to be moved again for treatment, it was a dire situation. This time, it was MD Anderson in Texas, the nation's best hospital for leukemia. Again, chemo, platelets, blood transfusions were her regiment along with 40 pills a day of medication. All of this in hopes of getting her ready for a secondary transplant. The transplant is scheduled to occur tomorrow October 17, 2014, it will be exactly one month before her 28th birthday. Megan has spent most of the last year in the hospital battling the cancer as well as blood infections, pneumonia, and other infections, all the results of the cancer and its effect on her immune system.
Megan is one of the kindest people you could ever meet. She was in the process of getting her masters degree in education when she was forced to leave her life in NYC. She loves kids and was adored by all her students. She loves sports especially the Miami Heat. Her love of life is still evident even while battling for her life. She was involved in camps for underprivileged kids and did whatever she could to help out kids and whomever else she could. She is also my niece, she is closer in age to me than my sister, so I consider her more of a sister than a niece. It is so difficult seeing the toll the past year has taken on our family. It is an emotional roller coaster that too many people are on because of this sucky disease. Megan has missed out on life for a year. She attended my sons 1st birthday via facetime in a hospital bed. Megan celebrated holidays attached to IVs, puked her brains out and lost her hair from chemo. She left her job and life in her dream city NY. Her body is constantly bruised and infections seem to always find their way in. She has not caught a break in a year. Her fight is still long from over. She will most likely be in the hospital on her 28th birthday, this time with nurses and doctors.
The added financial stress is just as tough. As of this posting, my sister (Megan's mom) and my mom(megan's grandmother) have reloacted to Texas. They take turns being in Texas and being in FL. My sister has been unable to work, and has rented out her house. They are paying rent for an apartment in TX as well as for homes in FL. The medical bills have started trickling in and will be thousands (maybe hundreds of thousands) once all of this is done. I am not one to ask for money, but I see the stress. I see the fear that this disease has instilled in our family. I can't be with my niece on a regular basis even though we facetime every day. All I can do is get the word out about Megan and ask for your help to ease some of the financial stresses she and the family are dealing with. Stresses that are felt everyday and will be felt for years to come.
Thank You again, for your support.