Sona Sweet Sona

Dearest Friends and Family of Sona,

To quote Sona's cousin, Sona Gallatin, "There’s no way to truly understand what Sona is going through. If you know her you know she loves God, first and foremost, her family, her friends and her work. She will give you the shoes off her feet, walk through fire for those around her, but is the last to ask for help."

Sona’s Leukemia journey began in December of 2022. Sona had started to notice some fatigue during her busiest month of the year at her new studio space, which she had just remodeled, furnished and decorated herself three and a half months prior. She was loving her job, her new space and feeling blessed to be where she was at this point in her life. Sona chalked her fatigue up to menopause, the holidays and just the stress of her busiest time of year.

Sona had scheduled an elective surgery at the end of December, which required blood work. When she went in for the pre-op for this surgery, she received a call from her PCP that she could not be cleared for surgery due to her white blood cell count being too high and that she needed to see an oncologist. You can only imagine the scare, disbelief and shock that Sona felt upon receiving this news!

Because it was the holiday season, there were not a lot of oncologists available, but with the help, persistence and referrals of friends and clients, Sona was able to see UT Southwestern (UTSW) Dr. Wolfe on January 2, 2023.

Dr. Wolfe ordered more blood work that day. On January 3, 2023, Sona received a call back from Dr. Wolfe with the devastating news of her diagnosis. Sona’s blood work showed that she had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and that she needed to pack a bag and get to UTSW within an HOUR!! Thankfully, her husband Steve was able to speak to Dr. Wolfe on the phone and listen to instructions as Sona fell to the floor crying in complete disbelief and devastation.

So began Sona’s "cancer journey”. Starting January 3rd, Sona spent the next 31 days at UTSW on the 11th floor (The Blue Floor) receiving test after test to confirm her diagnosis, an extremely painful bone marrow biopsy (BMB), and then chemotherapy (which had to be started right way, because her diagnosis was so aggressive).

Sona was unable to leave “the blue floor” during her 31 days there because of her compromised immune system. She was diagnosed with B cell Ph negative (Philadelphia negative). Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with several mutations. Had Sona waited one more month before having her blood tests, she would have ended up in the ICU with critical issues – thankfully, it was caught in time.

After 31 days, Sona was able to go home, but with no visits from family or friends for five months, no food delivery of any kind due to her immune system being compromised. Sona was back and forth to the hospital for the next several months due to infections and mouth sores.

To this day, Sona’s days consist of trips to UTSW clinic for countless cycles of chemo infusions, ITIntrathecal chemo (chemo in the spine) and BMB’s.

Sona’s cancer is complicated – her treatment protocol is a pediatric regiment called ECOG1910. It’s a long 2.5-3-year process, if all goes well and her body cooperates and all the BMB’s don’t show cancer cells. Sona’s only option is to keep fighting, which she does every day. She enjoys every day she has a break from chemo and feels well enough to get out and seize the day.

All of this is complicated and unfair. Sona also recently found out that she had to vacate her salon space, which was another striking blow to her heart. Her job was/is her identity which she has been doing for thirty plus years. Sona has lost her income, the new year is approaching, which means a new deductible year for insurance, as well. This all takes a toll – not only financially, but mentally/emotionally.

To know Sona, is to love Sona. According to her cousin, Sona, "people who love Sona always ask, “how can I help?” When her journey first began, there was an Amazon wish list of things she needed, which made everyone feel good because they were doing something for Sona and made Sona feel good because, yes, she needed and appreciated every single thing!"

So, if you’re looking for a way to help Sona, please donate, or simply keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She appreciates all of it. Thank you so much for your consideration, thoughts and prayers.

With much love and appreciation.

Jessica Frink (Friend) & Sona Gallatin (Cousin)

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