Tess Mueller 2020
Donation protected
Tess is undergoing treatment for Acute myeloid leukemia. Since she will need to be close to the hospital in Seattle for the next several months, her family will need help with additional rent payments. In addition, Kirstin, Tess' mom, will is moving from full time to part time work in January, so the family income is decreasing.
There's no need to explain why we are coming together to support Tess. She is one of a kind; well loved as a passionate and devoted friend, daughter and student. She has given so much of herself. This an opportunity to show our love to her. Whether you can give $5 or $500, please know your gift is deeply appreciated. In addition, we are running a Meal Train for the family. Please sign up here .
Here is a letter from Tess:
Dear Friends and Family,
This is mostly a thank you letter, with a bit of an update and recap thrown in. If you would like to know more about the details of my health right now, please reach out and I will be happy to share. However, in this moment I felt that this was the most honest thing for me to write.
Nearly a year ago on 12/12/19, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I underwent two rounds of chemo, and eventually a bone marrow transplant last spring. I was in remission for much of this last summer and fall and my body seemed to be responding well to the transplant. Unfortunately, a bit over a month ago I learned that I had relapsed. Up until that moment I felt as though I had been skating through this whole thing, but over the past month, I felt more mortal than I ever have before. I will need at least another round of chemo and another bone marrow transplant in the coming months, but for now, I am resting and healing and starting to feel more normal. Today, I am amazed by the way my body and mind continue to carry me through, even amid pain, fear, sadness, and honestly a lot of anger.
I also am simply blown away by the unlimited support, love, and presence of nearly every person in my life. Each and every person who visited me in my hospital room last winter, you brought me so much joy and laughter during a time that should have been the scariest of my life. I will forever hold those moments in my heart. Those of you who came more quietly to see me in the hospital in February as the world began to shut down and we all grieved the loss of so many opportunities. I was lonely in a way I’ve never experienced, and simply sitting with each of you was healing.
All of the socially distanced walks this summer, whether it was in person or over the phone, each conversation held so much laughter and insight. Countless hours on the phone in general, walking, driving, cooking, laughing, even attempting to grocery shop. All of my nurses. Every single one of them. Many of you will never see this, but I remember all of you, and all of you have taught me something this year. Thank you.
My BMT brother-in-arms, who has helped me learn how to let myself break down in order to get back up. I’ll always be grateful for your smoke signals from out of the woods. Everyone who has adventured with me this fall, from climbing mountains to midnight hot tub dance parties and sunshine naps. Thank you for those instances of normal, I love you all dearly.
Even when I don’t have the energy to respond, every text, email, message, and call has made my day. Truly. It’s like getting a straight shot of serotonin for my extrovert brain. All the mothers, both near and far who make sure that I am always drowning in crockpot soups, photos, phone calls, and endless hugs. Thank you for being there for me and for my family. To my family, there is nothing I can say. You all know the depth of my love already.
Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. I can honestly say that I have had one of the most amazing years of my life, I have learned so much, and I have found so much joy. This coming year will be challenging in new ways, but it will also be wonderful in new ways. As they say, practice makes perfect, and I am smarter, stronger, and definitely more of a know it all than ever. And, I know that I am surrounded by so much love. Thank you!
With love,
Tess
There's no need to explain why we are coming together to support Tess. She is one of a kind; well loved as a passionate and devoted friend, daughter and student. She has given so much of herself. This an opportunity to show our love to her. Whether you can give $5 or $500, please know your gift is deeply appreciated. In addition, we are running a Meal Train for the family. Please sign up here .
Here is a letter from Tess:
Dear Friends and Family,
This is mostly a thank you letter, with a bit of an update and recap thrown in. If you would like to know more about the details of my health right now, please reach out and I will be happy to share. However, in this moment I felt that this was the most honest thing for me to write.
Nearly a year ago on 12/12/19, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I underwent two rounds of chemo, and eventually a bone marrow transplant last spring. I was in remission for much of this last summer and fall and my body seemed to be responding well to the transplant. Unfortunately, a bit over a month ago I learned that I had relapsed. Up until that moment I felt as though I had been skating through this whole thing, but over the past month, I felt more mortal than I ever have before. I will need at least another round of chemo and another bone marrow transplant in the coming months, but for now, I am resting and healing and starting to feel more normal. Today, I am amazed by the way my body and mind continue to carry me through, even amid pain, fear, sadness, and honestly a lot of anger.
I also am simply blown away by the unlimited support, love, and presence of nearly every person in my life. Each and every person who visited me in my hospital room last winter, you brought me so much joy and laughter during a time that should have been the scariest of my life. I will forever hold those moments in my heart. Those of you who came more quietly to see me in the hospital in February as the world began to shut down and we all grieved the loss of so many opportunities. I was lonely in a way I’ve never experienced, and simply sitting with each of you was healing.
All of the socially distanced walks this summer, whether it was in person or over the phone, each conversation held so much laughter and insight. Countless hours on the phone in general, walking, driving, cooking, laughing, even attempting to grocery shop. All of my nurses. Every single one of them. Many of you will never see this, but I remember all of you, and all of you have taught me something this year. Thank you.
My BMT brother-in-arms, who has helped me learn how to let myself break down in order to get back up. I’ll always be grateful for your smoke signals from out of the woods. Everyone who has adventured with me this fall, from climbing mountains to midnight hot tub dance parties and sunshine naps. Thank you for those instances of normal, I love you all dearly.
Even when I don’t have the energy to respond, every text, email, message, and call has made my day. Truly. It’s like getting a straight shot of serotonin for my extrovert brain. All the mothers, both near and far who make sure that I am always drowning in crockpot soups, photos, phone calls, and endless hugs. Thank you for being there for me and for my family. To my family, there is nothing I can say. You all know the depth of my love already.
Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. I can honestly say that I have had one of the most amazing years of my life, I have learned so much, and I have found so much joy. This coming year will be challenging in new ways, but it will also be wonderful in new ways. As they say, practice makes perfect, and I am smarter, stronger, and definitely more of a know it all than ever. And, I know that I am surrounded by so much love. Thank you!
With love,
Tess
Organizer and beneficiary
Anne Atwell
Organizer
Vashon, WA
Kirstin Eastman
Beneficiary