Kaitlyn’s leukemia journey

My name is Jorge Caballero and my little sister Katie was diagnosed with the leukemia. She is my little angel- a smart, creative, and funny young lady who has so much to give. Her story follows in her own words:

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I was having vision problems along with joint pain and went to the ER expecting it to be something minor with a simple treatment. After being transferred to two different hospitals, I was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Philadelphia +. 

I will be receiving chemotherapy as well as radiation treatments for about 2 years. From what I understand the first year will be the toughest.

I don’t know how long I won’t be able to work because of the chemo and because of my vision problems. I work as a graphic designer so I really need to be able to see what I am working on. I don’t know how I will pay for all the things insurance will not pay for or if I will be able to keep my insurance if I am out of work long term. I don’t know how I will pay my rent or car insurance or utilities. I don’t know how I will pay for food that doesn’t make me throw up at the mere smell of it.

It has been a week and a half since my diagnosis and I can say I am still in shock. There is still so much I have to learn about my treatments and medications, how long I will be sitting in a clinic three or more times a week. There is so much I still don’t know. I don’t know exactly what impact this will have on the rest of my life or the life of my loved ones, but I fight like a girl and I am not alone! I will keep my head up high and my middle finger up higher! So if cauliflower can become pizza, I can do anything!

-Kaitlyn Montgomery
“I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.”