Sandies battle with MDS

In December 2019 Sandie was feeling off, was physically exhausted and having severe muscle pain in her legs. She decided to speak to her doctor about these symptoms. Her blood count was very low so they did her first blood transfusion, and she needed a transfusion every 3 weeks thereafter. After many rigorous medical exams Sandie was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic (MDS) in March. Once determined, she continued receiving regular blood transfusions to increase her levels until a treatment plan was established.

 In short the recommended treatment would be to start chemotherapy right away in hopes to manage the condition from developing to Acute Leukemia. From there, stem cell treatment is an optional cure but this is still months away. The stem cell would need to be a match and from a sibling under 70. Therefore, her brothers Tony and Andy volunteered to be donor candidates for this treatment, and if they are not a match then a search into the national donor data base would be preformed in hopes to find a match.

 Once her son Jay heard of his mother’s illness, he wanted to ensure she received the best care so he got her into the Tom Baker in Calgary. He moved her into their place where she’d be very comfortable and be surrounded by nature, love from their family and her beautiful grandchildren. 

 After her second round of Chemotherapy, Sandy started to get swelling in her neck. She wasn’t feeling well and Jay spend many nights driving back and forth to Emergency as things were not getting better and he was worried about the swelling. Finally, she was admitted into the Foothills Hospital on Wednesday June 3rd and spent 3 weeks in care at the Infectious Disease Ward where the doctors continue to perform tests to try to find more concrete answers. After 3 weeks of CT scans, spinal taps and various antibiotics Sandie was lucky to be able to go back to Jays to continue the various medications and antibiotics in a more comfortable place.

 Although some days are better than others, Sandy is dealing with a serious illness and there are so many unknown’s right now. She’s a fighter and continues to find the strength within herself to live day by day and stay positive through this.  This being said she has a long road ahead of her and we’d like to raise some money to help with all her expenses as she is looking at over a year of hopeful treatments that include 9 different daily medications (we are battling with Alberta Health care and BC health care as neither want to help with her current health care bills), a lot of travel to and from hospitals for blood regular blood tests and transfusions, helping with rent in B.C. so she doesn’t lose her place there etc… 

 Hoping everyone is staying safe and strong through these unusual times in our history.  Much love!