Anna’s Journey

Anna is a daughter, sister, mother, aunt, friend. She has fought every day of her life to make it to the next. She is one of the strongest women we know. Two years ago, Anna found herself having health issues. It started with high blood pressure and anxiety, then progressed to unexplained weight gain and fatigue. Two months ago, she developed red spots on the inside of her arm. She went to her cardiologist for a routine checkup and the doctor ordered blood work. She received a call that evening from a nurse saying that she needed to go to the ER as her platelet counts were extremely low. This began an unexpected and unwanted journey for Anna and all who love her. She stayed in the hospital for a week undergoing tests including a very painful spinal tap and bone marrow pull. She was told that her body was not producing platelets or red blood cells normally and that her immune system seemed to be attacking her red blood cells.

Anna’s doctors offered many ideas of what they thought could be causing Anna’s symptoms. While many potential causes have been eliminated; to date, the Drs have not been able to provide Anna with a diagnosis.

What she does have is tons of doctor's bills. Due to her extreme fatigue, weekly lab work, frequent transfusions and regular appointments with two different specialists, she is able to work only a fraction of her normal hours. Her employers have been amazing! They are supportive, understanding and trying to help in any way they can. But Anna simply has has no meaningful ability to work.

Anna is a single mom with a mortgage. She bought her very own house two years ago - all on her own. This was a huge accomplishment for her! Stress is one of the things she is told to avoid because it weakens her immune system and that is the last thing she needs. She would never ask for help or for money, it is not who she is. But we know she needs our help. That is why we created this page without her knowledge! Anna is facing an unknown future with unknown treatments that she has been told are risky and that will require her to be hospitalized to receive.

Anna is currently being treated by an oncologist and a bone marrow specialist — who agree that they have eliminated all but two conditions that could be the cause of Anna’s symptoms. Her Drs have informed Anna that these symptoms are not going away any time soon.

At the end of May, Anna had another bone marrow pull done and a bone biopsy. Results of these tests are due at the end of June. Once Anna receives a diagnosis, treatment will begin. It is going to be a long road for her. On her journey, she will need all the love, support and help she can get. Neither treatment will be easy, or short term. Please help us to help her. Anything you can spare will help. And if you cannot give money, please lift her up in your prayers, or thoughts to give her the strength to battle whatever is coming. THANK YOU FOR COMING TO THIS PAGE, FOR READING AND FOR JOINING US ON ANNA'S JOURNEY.

With gratitude,

Jennifer & Jordan