Needs of Bone Marrow Transplant

I am Teresa L (Terri) Walker. I have worked for the US Army for a total of 37 years. I am facing a very difficult battle now, from being hospitalized due to AML Acute Myeloid Leukemia, not able to work and need a Bone Marrow Transplant. I was inpatient at RICHMOND VA, Veterans Administration Medical Center. I had been hospitalized from July 24th to Sept 6. All of my leave has been used, and I was on Leave Without Pay (LWOP) for an extended amount of time. I will need to payback some costs LWOP caused. Also requesting Volunteer Leave Transfer Program which paperwork was turned in for some Federal employees to donate leave - was fruitless no one donated. The Choice to ask for help are only recourse for trying to survive, until SSA. DVA and FERS retirement get properly applied for and repayments of costs due by me (repayments) and my eventual payments start in FULL.

The VAMC has/had no facilities or personnel available as an inpatient, that could assist with my applications for any paperwork so all applications were delayed (SSA, FERS Retirement, DVA Compensation, Caregiver Application Request). Veteran Service Officers proved difficult to get on phone, and are always busy or out of offices for any assistance I would need. Also constant procedures made it impossible to go to offices I needed while inpatient, to get any applications completed or started and no home office was there to work out of my hospital room for such required paperwork.

Having went through chemo, I was released/disharged 6 Sept, to go home and prepare to go to thru Chemo again inpatient at Richmond VAMC (24-30 Sept). I've been hospitalized 13+ times for chemo and it's after effects. I will eventually go to Nashville, TN VAMC for a total of three to four (4) months for transplant.

Incidentals to everyday living will have to be paid out of my pocket for self and my son caregiver, and alternate caregiver (possibly, as I'm allowed two caregivers) while in Nashville, 24/7. Hotel will have a kitchen where we will fix most meals ourselves to keep down costs.

My son, must attempt to take FMLA (12 weeks) and then possibly be on Leave without pay (LWOP), in order to be available while I undergo all needed for a Bone Marrow Transplant to try and go into remission from this disease. Criteria for being a paid caregiver for my son being looked into (and found that I am 10% less Service Connection needed for this service for him to be paid for caregiver!) Like all other applications, this was delayed & difficult to fill out, without a home office in a hospital room, which did/does not exist as an inpatient. It was fruitless as I'm not disabled enough by the DVA. The VAMC does not have an inpatient library for such situations. No fax, computer, scanner, or printers available for any application submissions. I had a computer with me during my stay but it was limited as to what I was be authorized to do on the network. Any paperwork I needed to do was delayed. Calls for help were not able to be made out of a hospital bed, at the time.

At NASHVILLE where Bone Marrow Transplant will be performed, the room and travel is paid for by the VAMC/DVA both Nashville/Richmond. All our meals, incidentals and personal products needed will not be. My savings are dwindling, as I am living off that for now.

My home requires some work b4 BMT, as there was damage from windstorm and rain after my long stay and subsequent stays in hospital.

I am scrambling now to try and catchup on all the applications and paperwork that should have been done while I was an inpatient and all are complicated and overwhelming. Most are done now but there are some that are not and still am fighting to get things done. Former workplace not cooperating with some paperwork I need for IRS.

Trying to get insurance to cover home repairs at this time. Interviewing contractors as well.

Please donate if you find it in your heart to do so. It was mentioned to me that Facebook donations are easier through their payments in messaging. May God Bless you all. Any amount is appreciated for our living expenses, during this difficult time. My goal amount will hopefully be almost be reached and I am thankful and humbled by the generosity of all of you. Thank you again. and thank God for good people with a generous heart. Sincerely, Teresa L Walker aka Terri.

Nashville BMT delayed until home repairs can be done. (Drs. advise safe clean enviroment and there is possible mold issues which need to be remediated).

I have all donations so far tucked away in savings for BMT trip & VAMC stay.

Thanks again. Sorry so long. ~TLW~