Please help Sandra with her health battle!

Hello Family and Friends,

I wanted to share with all of you something that I have been privately and quietly dealing with for over two years. Back in November 2020, I had neck pain that wasn't getting better with physical therapy or exercise. I saw a chiropractor and acupuncturist but still couldn't find relief. My x-ray showed no abnormalities or concerns. No one could figure out the source of my pain.

In January 2021, I experienced severe neck pain and chest pain and had to be taken to the emergency room. In addition to standard blood work and an EKG, they also took an MRI with contrast of my cervical spine. When the E.R. doctor came back with the results, he said that my heart was fine but there were concerning findings on my MRI. They had found multiple lucent lesions on the bones of my neck. He ordered more extensive blood work and testing to be done with my primary doctor and I was discharged soon after.

A week later, after more MRIs, a PET scan and a painful bone marrow biopsy, it was confirmed that I had Myeloma, a plasma cell blood cancer. Most people who are diagnosed with this cancer are in their seventies and find out after a hip fracture or kidney failure. As you could imagine, the news was shocking and devastating for all of us but especially my children. My son is still too young to understand what's going on with Mama, so we haven't shared too many details with him.

Unlike with most cancers where early diagnosis means early treatments; Myeloma is a "wait and see" kind of cancer. Because of my age and certain blood numbers, I am required to do extensive bloodwork every three months and twice yearly MRIs, PET scans and bone marrow biopsies. It is also imperative that I see a Myeloma Specialist oncologist every three months to review my test results, take more specialized blood tests and participate in research studies to keep ahead of my cancer.

In addition to chronic fatigue, chronic neck pain and neuropathy in my hands and feet, one of the hardest things to deal with has been my weakened immune system. A simple cold escalated to a terrible bout of pneumonia last December that required me to stay in the hospital for three days with a collapsed lung and extensive lung scarring. With myeloma, I can’t get over sicknesses as quickly as I did in the past.

In spite of my diagnosis, I continue to work full time as an early childhood educator and as a mother. I keep a smile on my face and stay positive. My partner and family have been generous and supportive but even with their help, my two years of medical bills and expenses have become too much to handle. I am asking for your help in being able to pay off my medical debts, maintain my health needs and still be able to help support my family. If you feel so inclined to donate to my cause and share my page, I would be extremely grateful. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and I wish you all the best.

Warmly,

Sandra Diodati