Support Tricia's Myelofibrosis Journey

Hello! I am creating this GoFundMe in the hopes of raising money to help my mom, Tricia, with finances as she has been dealing with Polycythemia Vera, which is a slow progressing cancer that has over the years progressed into Myelofibrosis. She was diagnosed in 2013 after being hospitalized multiple times due to blood clotting in her abdominal area. Since then she has been keeping up with doctors appointments, multiple phlebotomy’s, and medications to try to help the progressing blood cancer. It wasn't until this year, January, when she had a bone marrow biopsy and had a dry tap, meaning they could not pull the marrow that they need in order to know what to do next for her. However, they did find out her blast cells were at 5%, meaning if she gets to 20% it could progress into Leukemia. The doctor had her do another bone marrow biopsy done in June to try to get a better sample to see where she is at, and at that time they had discovered her blast cells had jumped to 10%, and that’s when her doctor decided to discuss a Stem Cell Transplant. Since June, she has had multiple doctor appointments, blood work and testing done to prepare her for the transplant. In September she had seven days of chemo in order to bring her blast cells down. Currently, she is having to undergo another bone marrow biopsy to monitor her blast cells and will have multiple appointments until she will be hospitalized. The stem cell transplant couldn’t happen until there was a healthy donor that has 10/10 Healthy Human Leukocyte Antigens that would be suitable for a match. Out of 17 possible matches, a 10/10 match was found for her thankfully, so the next step is to do the transplant, which has been scheduled for October 31st. Prior to transplant she will be in the hospital for 7 days and at some point she will be placed on a feeding tube during her stay, as she will do chemo up until the day of transplant. Following the transplant my mom will have to continue to stay for 14 more days, then is ordered to stay home for the following 86 days to monitor her symptoms and make sure she doesn’t get Graft-Versus-Host Disease, which is when the recipient's immune system attacks the recipient's own cells after a transplant. During this time my dad will have no income to help support as he will be her main caregiver. He will endure multiple trips back and forth from the hospital while our mother is admitted along with staying home with her full time while she recovers, following the hospital. Not only are there our parents, there is the expense of my niece, their 15 year granddaughter who lives with them. They will need groceries, gas, medical and living expenses in general. While my mom is going through all of this, she is still maintaining a positive attitude and trying so hard to stay strong and keep going! My mom is the most selfless person I know and has always gone above and beyond for our family and friends, and I hope this will help my family cover the costs during this stressful time!!

Update from my mom as of 10/16:

Hello, had education and basic care today and found these things out. NO flowers please or plants sent to me at hospital, if you wanna show support there’s the gofundme or even gift cards, puzzles, candies for helping me with my drying of mouth like werthers caramel, lemon drops, etc….

I wanted to let all of you know that my transplant will be on or around Halloween. I will be in the hospital before and after, totaling 107 days. Up to 21 in hospital and then we count down week 2 for my health to day 100. It is crucial that I stay in a clean environment during that time, and during the time I’m recovering at home. I ask to anyone who wants to visit, to please ask first, if I don’t reply you can try Bo. If we don’t reply means maybe a bad day. This is to ensure my health and wellbeing be maintained. Also, please understand that I may not be checking messages regularly. I will be prioritizing my health and surrounding myself with my family, as they care for me. This is a very difficult time for me. I could be in pain many days, so extremely exhausted. If I could ask for prayer, for a successful transplant and recovery, I would be so grateful. I’m trying and will continue to record my journey. I am on tiktok.

Thank you! ❤️Tricia