Pat Alkola--Help the Helper

An update from Pat!

Thank you so much for your financial donations, help with food, driving me to doctor appointments, visiting me at home, helping with the household chores and SO MUCH MORE! I am humbled and overjoyed by everything you do. I wish I could give each of you a hug!

Here is a brief update for the last few months:

On 1/13/2023, after feeling disoriented and lightheaded, I was rushed to the ER and was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. The surgeon who specializes in this surgery was actually leaving the hospital for the weekend when he received a call from the ER doctor, reporting that my oxygen level was dangerously low and that I needed emergency surgery. The surgeon removed several clots from my lungs that were two inches long and several others that were smaller. He was not able to remove all of them because I woke up during the surgery and was too restless due to back pain. During recovery the doctor told me the surgery was successful and he made a point of telling me how brave and strong my daughter, Dani, was when he updated her before and after surgery. I remain in “awe” of both my girls for facing this cancer with so much courage. We will beat this!

GOOD NEWS: The scans completed the week after being released from the hospital showed the tumor in my skull was GONE and the ones in my jaw and back showed tremendous improvement. I remained on the same chemo treatment, and the blood work completed the end of February showed NO myeloma which means the chemo is working!! The next step is to go on a chemo maintenance plan until I get more information about the stem cell transplant and decide about if/when I will proceed in this way.

Unfortunately, I was released from my work at CDLN on 1/10/2023, but I did eventually qualify for AHCCCS (medical insurance) which is extremely helpful for 2023. I continue to pay living expenses and medical bills from your generous donations in the Go Fund Me account. I can’t even think of what I would do without all of you on this long journey.

I would appreciate it so much if you could share this page on your social media platforms or anywhere else you feel will be helpful.

~~Love,

Pat

The Alkola Accounts Payable Department!

Pat Alkola – Help for the Helper

This is my sweet friend, Pat Alkola. By her very nature, she is a Helper. She has helped hundreds and hundreds of foster care and adoptive families navigate the challenges they face. Now Pat needs help.

In late September, Pat and I took a walk in the desert, but we had to cut it short. She had been having back problems for a few weeks and was trying everything from seeing her primary care doctor to chiropractic care to heating pads…but nothing seemed to work to relieve her pain and the numbness in her legs.

The first week in October, Pat woke up one morning, couldn’t walk, and had to call 911. It turns out that this wasn’t ordinary back pain. MRIs and CT scans showed that she has Late-Stage Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow, and there are lesions everywhere from her back to her jaw to her skull. One particular lesion on her skull has created a midline shift, creating pressure along her brain, which predisposes her to experience seizures. Surgery relieved some pain, but right now, she can’t sit up or walk due to the pressure on her spine and the balance problems caused by the lesions on her skull.

Radiation and chemotherapy are the next steps, but you know what that means—unable to work, medical co-pays in the thousands, and essential medical treatments that might not be covered by insurance.

This is only the beginning of a very long journey for Pat and her two lovely daughters, Dani and Sami. So I’m asking you to help the helper. Please consider a donation of any amount to help Pat and her family deal with the extreme financial pressure of this severe medical diagnosis.

Pat is a strong mama and friend and has maintained her smile and gentleness every step of the way. We are so proud of her resilience in this very fast-paced, difficult time. We welcome prayers and encouragement throughout this journey because we believe in a God who heals, restores and provides peace.

We are setting an initial goal of $30,000 for Pat’s medical and rent expenses until she can get back to work. These are early days, and it will take our friends’ contributions, and then contributions from friends of our friends. Thank you for helping the helper.