Surranna's Stem Cell Transplant to Fight Cancer
Donation protected
Well just when I thought things were headed up, here I am writing a Go Fund Me which is beyond humbling and outside the wildest fragments of my imagination. I never thought I would be faced with not being poor enough for financial or housing assistance and not well off enough to afford the next phase of my battle with Refractory Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Yep, the previous 12 rounds of chemo did not work and the next line of treatment to continue my quest of beating refractory Hodgkin's Lymphoma is an autologous stem cell transplant.
My cancer story officially began February 11, 2021 while traveling to some of America’s finest national parks on the west coast. I wasn’t feeling so hot, except during the many bed drenching night sweats that I had assumed were perimenopause. After several weeks of heavy breathing and developing a non-productive persistent cough that literally had me lightheaded and gasping for air, I went to a Zoom clinic in Portland Oregon where after ruling out pneumonia, respiratory infection, or the hopeful and simple need for a round of antibiotics, I received a CT scan where the radiologist identified a large mediastinal (chest) mass, several enlarged lymph nodes, and both plural and cardiac effusions; no wonder I felt like I had a 50lb sack of potatoes on my chest. Needless to say, my original trip plans were cut short so I returned home to my new home in Colorado Springs to start down the official diagnostic path and setup care with ALL my new providers. As a recent transplant from the Detroit area it was no easy task. Cancer quickly became my full-time job!
After endless (and I mean endless) visits to the hospital I was eventually diagnosed with Classic Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It felt like forever; the stress and anxiety that comes with a cancer diagnosis can only be understood by those of us in the club. As a bystander to this journey just know that this has been the most challenging mental and physical experience of my life. My doctor said, “If you have to go through Cancer Hodgkin’s is a good one to have”; It is dubbed “the good cancer” which should never be repeated as it is a major insult to all types of cancer and those going through it; it is never easy and certainlly never "good".
My treatment plan was established, 12 sessions of ABVD with scans after 4, 8, and 12. Simple right! The first scan showed a significant reduction in the mediastinal mass and lymph nodes as well as reduction of the effusions and I was feeling so much better. I was confident in myself and winning this battle.
The second scan was heartbreaking. The mediastinal mass showed reduction in size but an increase in metabolic activity which was not a huge concern to my doctor. My femur also showed an increase in uptake. The scan showed two new hot spots in my groin area and resolve of the plural and cardiac effusions but three new hot spots, two in my left lung and one in the right with an impression note that read “consistent with pulmonary metastatic disease”. There I was with three treatments left, climbing mountains, feeling really exceptional most of the time (all things considered), to then get disheartening news that my seemingly “good cancer” had become exponentially more complicated.
I had decided to take short term disability beginning June first to alleviate work stress and free up time for what soothes my soul, outdoor adventures, of which I have been afforded plenty, but come the end of July I was back to the biopsy and testing drawing board. It was time to eliminate and diagnose every hotspot in my body and rule out all potential infections, which required a lot of blood. Ironically the day I left the oncology office after receiving my scan results, I walked home, and my lungs were tight. Over the next two weeks my breathing was heavily labored, another nonproductive cough developed, and I was feeling a lot like I did back in late January, not good! I was anxious and scared to say the least. I was just short of convinced that the cancer had spread and that I was getting closer to death. I was completely shattered, writing last wishes, assigning beneficiaries, and mentally organizing my end of life.
The femur came back as a wait and watch situation, no cancer but no official diagnosis. Next was the groin which the surgeon and radiologist deemed unproductive to try for a biopsy due to the sizes and deep location, so another watch and wait situation. Last but not least, the lung. After having so much radiation pumped into me and having one kidney that was also showing signs of wear and tear, they opted for a PQ scan, X-ray, and CT w/o contrast, to reek “less” havoc on my organs. The PQ scan was first to see if there was any clots or other abnormalities that could be impeding oxygen flow and affecting my breathing. It came back clean (winning)…………Next was the X-Ray, CT and bronchoscopy to get that biopsy. All scans came back heavily improved and the Bronchoscopy…..cancelled! I was back on top. I felt horrible but was so mentally relieved that what I was experiencing physically was “JUST” the chemotherapy. Cancer, it’s a yo-yo of a time!
In the meantime I went forward with the remaining three treatments but not without reluctance. I was on allergy medications, inhalers, anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, neuropathy meds, pain pills, edible medical marijuana, topicals for the rash, the coveted anti-nausea pills, all topped off with chemo, but I was still hopeful! This being my first summer in Colorado, I was convinced it was just allergies and the nodules in my lungs were simply an inflammatory reaction.
8 months had passed, and it was chemo graduation day. I had one month until my 3rd and final scan. Time to get off the drugs and toast to completing chemo and another trip around the sun; 44! My hair was already growing in and there I went, on the trip of a lifetime, ever so graciously granted to me by a dear friend. It meant a lot then and means so much more now!
My third scan results were in, and my cancer was still alive and replicating mutated cells like wildfire. Today, I can’t believe that I was shattered by my second scan results. The game isn’t over, it has just begun, and I need your help, a lot of it! It is literally back to square one! Biopsies, blood draws, EKG, ECG, PFT, CT’s, a new chemo regimen, and a whole additional team of doctors and nurses. It is an emotional and physical roller-coaster.
No denying that I have been very fortunate in having insurance, short-and long-term disability thus far. Savings has allowed me to fill the gap for the last several months, but that blessing is at rock bottom. The reality is I am looking at another 12 months of treatment at 50% of my income, which just isn’t enough to cover the sick life.
This is when the stem cell transplant, pre-treatments, high dose chemo, recovery, and another year of maintenance chemo happen! This is why I am leaning on all of you. For my next line of treatments to happen I will be away from home for many weeks, in Denver Colorado receiving inpatient care at the Colorado Institute of Blood Cancer. I will not be able to be alone or care for myself requiring a committed 24hr caregiver, literally they have to sign off, and we need housing within 15 miles of the hospital for daily appointments for an extended time period. Another caveat is that I am single with no immediate friends or family (who will be my caregivers) nearby. My support system will collectively be taking time off work and traveling to help me on this journey. I understand the complexity and reluctance of donating funds so all I can do is reassure you all that any and all monetary gifts will be used to cover the life of a sick persons’ basic infrastructure through the pre and post-transplant process until I am able to return to work. Beginning of the year deductibles (early 2022 is the anticipated timeframe), other medical expenses and supplies not covered by insurance, rent, being away from home expenses, insurance, car care, lawn care, snow removal; the stuff that keeps a roof over my head, accompanied, and mobile to get to and from the tireless appointments, is what I am asking for! Any remaining funds will be paid forward to another soul going through the refractory cancer stem cell transplant process.
This is not an easy or short road. All I can hope for is that I will have the opportunity to pay my respect and copious appreciation forward over the coming years! As humbling as this is, I can’t help but think about all the things I am grateful for, a life to love, friends and family to love, health insurance, half a job, and a chance at re-birth! That’s what us cancer club kids call the day of transplant, the re-birth! I want to live long enough to have another dog. I really want a dog. And if you made it to the end of this you have an amazing attention span and I thank you so much for your support.
I have also created a wishlist of items on Amazon of things that I will need going into stem cell, during my hospital stay, and for the recovery phase, for those who might want to help, like to online shop, but not feel comfortable donating money! I get it
Cancer Phase Two, In other Words, Stem Cell Transplant Help! -
Amazon Custom Gift List - https://www.amazon.com/registries/custom/QPAXD3BFG6JB/guest-view
In case you haven’t read enough here are a few links to more information about refractory/relapsed Hodgkin’s lymphoma and the autologous stem cell transplant process as a next line treatment and possible cure (50-ish% chance for me to live cancer free).
Info on the Chemo regimen I will receive to get me into remission for the autologous stem cell transplant:
https://www.ashclinicalnews.org/news/literature-scan/second-line-pembrolizumab-plus-gvd-relapsed-refractory-classical-hodgkin-lymphoma/
Basics of ASCT:
https://llscorp.stg.lls.org/treatment/types-treatment/stem-cell-transplantation/autologous-stem-cell-transplantation
CBCI Transplant information from my provider:
outlining the entire process:
Sincerely,
Surranna Vermef
[email redacted]
Organizer
Surranna Vermef
Organizer
Colorado Springs, CO
