On January 29th, 2020, Sonia was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma . It is a very aggressive cancer that forms in plasma cells. Those plasma cells then collect in the bone marrow and take out healthy blood cells. MM  causes frequent infections, bone problems, kidney issues and anemia.
It IS cancer but, the overall survival rate is 51%! We all feel that those are bettin' odds! Sonia's got a great attitude and is fighting this diagnosis with all she's got!
Just look at this: Positive, funny and oh-so very Sonia!


Shortly after her diagnosis, she started chemotherapy. Chemo is rough, that’s a given. But, she had no idea it would cause her to suffer Ventricular Tachycardia and heart failure  on February 29th, 2020. This meant a week-long hospital stay. That was a very scary time for Sonia and her partner, Melissa. If not for Melissa making the right decision to call 911, I would not be writing this. Sonia would not have survived.

Sonia and her darling, Melissa.

Some good news: Sonia's doctors have decided it is the right time for a bone marrow transplant. This procedure will have her out of work for at least six weeks. During that time, she will be on long term care with a minimal workload and will not be receiving full pay.
Melissa, her wonderful, strong and beautiful partner, will be her caregiver during this trying time.  Melissa has no choice but to be missing work to take care of Sonia.
She works for a high school and this week, she started back to work. She is off during summers, times for which we plan. We didn’t; however, plan for a bone marrow transplant! Nor, for the time off and the reduced and/or no pay situation.
Melissa will not be paid during the time she will be acting as my caregiver. She doesn’t have a paid FMLA  option. Thinking that Melissa would have this paid time off and finding out otherwise will put a serious dent in their income.
This is a procedure that, while scheduled, its repercussions were not something for which they had planned.

 

If you know Sonia, (or Melissa, for that matter!), you know she's not the type that asks for help. Rather, she's the one offering the shirt off her back. Or the, always coveted, “of course I can help you move” type! So, asking for help is not something that comes easy for Sonia. This is why this page is being started: ALL of you that have been helped by Sonia, it's time to pay it forward! 
They're not asking for more money than needed to make ends meet while Sonia's recovering. They will be right back at it as soon as the coast is clear! 
They appreciate any help that is given! From $5 to $50 to $500, anything and everything will help!
Thank you so much for helping the best friend for whom anyone could ask! 


 

P.S. They have two sweet fur babies as well! Trust in the fact that they would sooner starve themselves before letting these fur babies go hungry! 
Meet them in the photo below! The big guy is Bisquiat. And the tiny princess is Miel. Aren’t they just the bees knees?!



 

Here are some more photos of this vibrant young woman doing what she loves the most: Anything OUTDOORS! Melissa is always by her side, of course!

Please donate anything that you possibly can to help out Sonia and Melissa. 
Sonia's facing a very involved procedure with a lot of downtime. Melissa is selflessly taking time out of her work to care for Sonia. These two ladies are absolutely amazing and deserve all that life has to offer. So, let's help them out in the same way they'd help us: ALL OUT KINDNESS! 




Thank you so much for your time, consideration and donations. Please share this with EVERYONE!!! 
Feel free to contact me, Aimee Miller, if you have any questions about anything! 

Warmest regards, 

 Aimee Miller