Abby's Fight Against Leukemia

December Update: Abby continues to fight hard against her ALL, getting chemo and other treatments regularly to get and keep it out of her system. The treatments are incredibly intense and leave Abby with a wide range of debilitating symptoms. With help from her husband Scott and her parents Yvonne and Matt Bond, she is getting through it one day at a time.

Some positive news: Abby is a candidate for a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), and she even found a match on the bone marrow registry. This kind stranger has volunteered to donate their bone marrow so Abby can have a fighting chance against this disease.

The not-as-positive news: The BMT process is a harrowing one--Abby will have to undergo a month-long hospital stay after the transplant, which will take place just before Christmas. This will be followed by 100 days of intense recovery where she will be closely monitored for Graph vs Host Disease and other complications. Due to the risks associated with this procedure, Abby will have to spend this recovery period in Ann Arbor near her BMT Health Team, with a 24/7 family care provider, and away from her daughters on the west side of the state. The entire process will no doubt be physically, mentally, and financially burdensome on Abby and her family. Much of this time period is unpredictable right now, but we know that it will be challenging. Needless to say, this will not be a normal holiday season for Abby. Scott, and the girls.

Given this news, we are extremely hopeful for Abby's outcome but once again welcoming any donations to help in her journey. Our family is putting everything we can into supporting Abby, and we appreciate the well wishes and help from all her friends and other supporters. Thank you for keeping Abby in your heart this holiday season and into the new year.

Original Post: Like many of you, the news of my sister Abby's recent diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia hit me like a ton of bricks. We were grateful to have an answer to her mysterious health issues, but we weren't expecting something so severe. By the time she landed in the ER on September 6, her white blood cell count was out of control and she needed immediate emergency treatment to save her life. She was quickly transferred to UM Hospital in Ann Arbor to receive the care she needs to fight this. While she is stable now, she has a long, tough road ahead of her.

Due to the severity of her cancer and many risk factors, Abby is facing a month-long hospital stay and many intense rounds of chemo. After her inpatient stay, she has additional rounds of chemo to undergo for the next three years, and a potential bone marrow transplant in the future. And all of this across the state from her husband and two daughters.

As a SAHM and small business owner/artist [Dark Fern Creations] the impact to Abby will be inmense.

We've been getting lots of questions about how people can help. We so appreciate all the prayers and positive energy--keep them coming! If you feel compelled to help ease the financial burden they are now facing, Abby and Scott and the girls could really use your help.

I know it's extremely hard for Abby to even think of asking for help, but I also know we can make a difference in her journey.

All funds raised through this GoFundMe will help Abby with medical bills and other costs associated with her fight against cancer, including support with transportation and lodging for her family across the state for her many visits to UM. Let's do what we can to make this long, difficult journey a little easier!

With much love,

Lexi