Warrior Kim’s Journey to Fight Lymphoma
Donation protected
This is so difficult for me to write. As an independent woman, I’ve struggled in my head and heart to ask for help. However, I have come to the realization that it’s ok to admit and accept the help of others willing to support me.
I have stage 4 diffuse large B Cell non-Hodgkins lymphoma and follicular cancer. I’ve been lucky enough to work full time the last 3 years through my 5 different chemo treatments, radiation, craniotomy etc. I love my job and my clients, so it will be very difficult for me to take time off. However, without a bone marrow transplant, I won’t make it.
For those of you who know me well, you know my story. For those of you who don’t, I would like to share a bit of my journey in the hopes that it helps to provide an understanding of why I have started a Go Fund Me campaign.
In April 2018, when I was first diagnosed I had R-Chop chemo which continued for 8 cycles from May until October 2018 and what I thought was the end was really only the beginning......for 7 months we assumed life was back to normal before my body signalled me something was wrong again.
June 2019, I had a major relapse, at my regular oncology check up a large mass was found in my head on the CT. A PET scan was done and multiple tumours were shown in my neck and chest as well. I was started on GDP chemo immediately. A craniotomy was performed and the Princess Margaret Hospital neurologist told me how lucky I was to still be alive. The GDP chemo was changed by the PMH Oncologist to a more effective chemo called ICE from August until October, which we prayed would help. The next option for me was a Stem Cell transplant, however after they harvested my stem cells at the end of October a PET scan was done showing my cancer had actually grown during chemo into my breast. I was then turned down for the transplant and we were running out of options. There was no more chemo left for me however, there was something new and exciting called CAR T immunotherapy, and I was a good candidate. As PMH was not authorized to do the procedure it was decided to refer me to Roswell Park in Buffalo.
March 25th 2020 I was admitted to Roswell Park, and after another round of chemo the CAR T transplant was done and I was filled with hope. Then on April 3 the T cells decided to attack my brain, which is a side effect, thankfully I recovered quickly. May 1st I am discharged and come back to my family/home and hope this is the end of it.
Sept 30th 2020, 6 months after the CAR T transplant being done a routine CT shows everything is good. A few days later I fell down the stairs and started to have difficulty walking, but I’m still not worried as my CT was clear.
On October 20th a PET is done at Toronto Western, I am diagnosed for the third time with stage 4 lymphoma. The tumour in the spine and hip is the cause of my fall, there are also tumours in my chest and abdomen. I was admitted immediately to the RVH and told there was nothing they could do but offer compassionate care. Radiation started the very next day to shrink the spine tumour and keep me comfortable. Thankfully my amazing Oncologist comes up with my 5th type of chemo......BENDAMUSTINE-POLATUZUMAB-RITUXIMAB only approved as compassionate care by Health Canada and the pharmaceutical company and we wait 2 weeks for their approval. **Note this chemo is no longer available in Canada**
April 1 2021 was the last cycle of chemo after 6 months. My Oncologists believe as this cancer is extremely aggressive, it will come back and soon. So I need to have a bone marrow transplant. I’m so grateful to my anonymous donor for their selfless gift to save my life.♥️
I will be hospitalized for 4-6 weeks after which, I am required to live close to the hospital for 30-90 days. This will all be at a cost to me, which includes rental accommodations and food downtown Toronto, medications that are not covered, all while continuing to support my home in Barrie. Fortunately, my son will be my caregiver again.
I thank you sincerely for reading this and for your compassionate support.
I have stage 4 diffuse large B Cell non-Hodgkins lymphoma and follicular cancer. I’ve been lucky enough to work full time the last 3 years through my 5 different chemo treatments, radiation, craniotomy etc. I love my job and my clients, so it will be very difficult for me to take time off. However, without a bone marrow transplant, I won’t make it.
For those of you who know me well, you know my story. For those of you who don’t, I would like to share a bit of my journey in the hopes that it helps to provide an understanding of why I have started a Go Fund Me campaign.
In April 2018, when I was first diagnosed I had R-Chop chemo which continued for 8 cycles from May until October 2018 and what I thought was the end was really only the beginning......for 7 months we assumed life was back to normal before my body signalled me something was wrong again.
June 2019, I had a major relapse, at my regular oncology check up a large mass was found in my head on the CT. A PET scan was done and multiple tumours were shown in my neck and chest as well. I was started on GDP chemo immediately. A craniotomy was performed and the Princess Margaret Hospital neurologist told me how lucky I was to still be alive. The GDP chemo was changed by the PMH Oncologist to a more effective chemo called ICE from August until October, which we prayed would help. The next option for me was a Stem Cell transplant, however after they harvested my stem cells at the end of October a PET scan was done showing my cancer had actually grown during chemo into my breast. I was then turned down for the transplant and we were running out of options. There was no more chemo left for me however, there was something new and exciting called CAR T immunotherapy, and I was a good candidate. As PMH was not authorized to do the procedure it was decided to refer me to Roswell Park in Buffalo.
March 25th 2020 I was admitted to Roswell Park, and after another round of chemo the CAR T transplant was done and I was filled with hope. Then on April 3 the T cells decided to attack my brain, which is a side effect, thankfully I recovered quickly. May 1st I am discharged and come back to my family/home and hope this is the end of it.
Sept 30th 2020, 6 months after the CAR T transplant being done a routine CT shows everything is good. A few days later I fell down the stairs and started to have difficulty walking, but I’m still not worried as my CT was clear.
On October 20th a PET is done at Toronto Western, I am diagnosed for the third time with stage 4 lymphoma. The tumour in the spine and hip is the cause of my fall, there are also tumours in my chest and abdomen. I was admitted immediately to the RVH and told there was nothing they could do but offer compassionate care. Radiation started the very next day to shrink the spine tumour and keep me comfortable. Thankfully my amazing Oncologist comes up with my 5th type of chemo......BENDAMUSTINE-POLATUZUMAB-RITUXIMAB only approved as compassionate care by Health Canada and the pharmaceutical company and we wait 2 weeks for their approval. **Note this chemo is no longer available in Canada**
April 1 2021 was the last cycle of chemo after 6 months. My Oncologists believe as this cancer is extremely aggressive, it will come back and soon. So I need to have a bone marrow transplant. I’m so grateful to my anonymous donor for their selfless gift to save my life.♥️
I will be hospitalized for 4-6 weeks after which, I am required to live close to the hospital for 30-90 days. This will all be at a cost to me, which includes rental accommodations and food downtown Toronto, medications that are not covered, all while continuing to support my home in Barrie. Fortunately, my son will be my caregiver again.
I thank you sincerely for reading this and for your compassionate support.
Organizer
Kim Martin
Organizer
Barrie, ON