Support Rebecca's (Bex) Health Journey

EDIT 12/6/24

Unfortunately, I (Libby) am not a match for Rebecca. With this knowledge, her team is moving forward with an immunosupresant therapy designed to help her body begin to generate healthy bone marrow. She will be required to stay in AZ starting this week to undergo imaging and testing to rule out any infection that could interfere with the procedure. Her estimated admission date to start treatment is December 16th. She will need to stay within an hour of the hospital after the procedure for at least a week. She was able to find a hotel that gives a discount for MAYO patients, this will still be a hefty financial burden. Thank you once again for all your support and encouragement through this time.

EDIT 11/21/24

We are currently waiting on testing kits for me (her sister) to see if I am a full match. If I am, we will move forward with the transplant. This will require Rebecca to stay in the hospital for 1 month, then she will need to stay within 60 minutes of the hospital for an a additional 3 months. During that time she will need to have someone with her 24/7. The transplant will giver her a 90% 10 year survival rate.

If I am not a match she will go through an intensive immunotherapy treatment with the hopes of "jump starting" her marrow. She will need to spend 2 weeks in the hospital and an additional 2 weeks within 60 minutes of the hospital. This treatment will give her an 80% 3 year survival rate.

In either case, we will need to figure out housing and round the clock care.

We still have a long road ahead of us. Your support means so much and all goes toward supporting the family and medical expenses during this journey.

EDIT: 11/7/24

Amazing news! She has been approved for the transplant!

While this is great news, it comes with new complications. I (Libby, her sister) will be going through the process to see if I am a donor match. This process will also require that Rebecca to spend three months in Arizona. Three weeks in the hospital post procedure, and then an additional two and a half months nearby for bi weekly visits and tests. Your support will help aid the family while she is away, and help pay for any additional costs and housing she will need during this time. I cannot tell you how much my family appreciates your support and encouragement.

EDIT: 11/4/24

As some of you know, Rebecca's (Bex) health has continued to decline. Her counts have reached an all time low, and she has officially been accepted into the transplant center at the Mayo clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. She was transferred there and is currently undergoing tests and screenings to determine the next steps. While we don't have a full picture yet, this will likely be a lengthy stay, which puts pressure on the rest of the family both emotionally and financially. Anything you can do to help is greatly appreciated.

EDIT:

After meeting with her medical team at Swedish Medical Center, it was decided to postpone the bone marrow transplant. Since her cells numbers have slowly starting come up, they want to see what her body does, before heading into a complicated and risky procedure. They have sent her home to be monitored by her local doctor.

The next step will be to go through an immunosupressant treatment if her body cannot keep producing cells. This will require a lengthy hospital stay as it will still be necessary for her to be in isolation. This treatment will essentially kill off her immune system and allow it to start from scratch. This comes with its own set of complications, but will hopefully prevent the need for a transplant.

Thank you so much for your support as she is still unable to work or support her kids, and this is putting a large financial strain on the whole family.

-- - - -- --

This is Libby, Rebecca's (Bex) sister.

Some of you already know that she was been dealing with some pretty serious health issues for quite some time. Unfortunately, it has gotten progressively worse.

She has an illness called Aplastic Anemia, where essentially her bone marrow has stopped functioning and is no longer producing blood cells that are required to survive.

Her condition had progressed enough that she will now need a Bone Marrow Transplant. She was recently transferred to St. Anthony's hospital in Denver, and will now be transferred to Swedish Medical Center for the remainder of her treatment, which includes a 100 day stay after the transplant is completed.

Her husband has been driving back and forth to stay with her, and our mom is home taking care of the kiddos. This has been a very taxing time, and will continue to be. Especially financially as her husband continues to commute, and the expenses for the kids need to be met.

If you feel so inclined, every little bit will help take the strain off my family while we navigate these next steps and face the long road ahead.

We so appreciate your support.