Supporting Cristian's Leukemia Fight

On December 9th 2019 our families life changed.  Cristian had not been feeling well and went to an urgent care facility whom had previously seen him a couple weeks prior.  He advised the doctor at the urgent care that he was still not feeling well and said his wife thought he had walking pneumonia.  The urgent care advised him that it was not walking pneumonia but he should immediately go to the hospital to get checked out for other illnesses.  That evening I drove him to the hospital and we went into the emergency room.  He advised the ER doctor of his symptoms and did a complete blood work up.  At that moment our life would change as the hospital told him he needed a blood transfusion and thought he had leukemia.  On December 12, 2019, Cristian Gaitan (47 years old) was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.  At the time of his diagnosis he had 95% leukemia throughout his body.  The type of Leukemia Cristian has is an aggressive leukemia and if not treated a person only has 6 months to a year to live.  The only cure for him is a bone marrow transplant.   His siblings were tested to see if any of them would be a match and his oldest sister was a 100% match!  Cristian has been in and out of the hospital since December receiving chemotherapy, blood transfusions, doctor’s appointments and awaiting for his bone marrow transplant.  During his transplant he will be in the hospital for at least a month.  Once he has clearance to get out of the hospital, he will need 24 hour care.  He cannot be left alone due to the possibility of the transplant rejecting his body and if this would happen he would need to be rushed to the hospital.   He has been receiving amazing care at the Moffitt Cancer Center at Memorial Hospital West and we cannot give enough praise to the doctors, nurses, bone marrow transplant coordinators and staff.  They are not just there medically but emotionally.   

Cristian and I have been married for 23 years and we have two amazing daughters, Isabella (14) and Shelby (8).  Cristian owns his own painting company and at this time he cannot work.   He had to lay off his employees and close down the company as he has a long road ahead of recovery and will not be able to work for a about year after the transplant.  He is my best friend and an amazing, loving father to our two girls.  He is our everything.  I know my husband is a fighter and will come out on top as he will not succumb to this disease.   Any donations would be greatly appreciated to help during this difficult time.   Many blessing.  Sincerely, Kristina Gaitan