Faith, Hope, Love, Desimond

4.17.09 Desimond was diagnosed with CML Leukemia.  Although remission took place very quickly for Desimond, daily "maintenance chemotherapy" via pill form comes with the possibility of harsh side effects. On 4.17.18, fast forward 9 years after diagnosis to the day, side effects caused our eldest daughter to find Des passed out cold at home prompting her rapid response to dial 911 seeking help. After a 9 day hospital stay in intensive care and a handful of tests, Des was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension and began that journey side by side with his leukemia journey. Des is being seen by the top specialists in Cardiology and Pulmonology Hypertension at UCSF. New treatment for the Leukemia began in the fall of 2018, while it successfully gained control of the Leukemia, it began stressing the heart and treatment was changed yet again in Summer 2020. Each treatment is only temporary as all of them are very hard on the body and as proven, the heart especially. One day we know that a bone marrow transplant will be our best chance at life, and that journey is just as tough, Des did not have a perfect match when the national registry was searched in November. We ask that you continue to share our story with others and bring about awareness of our needs and the needs of so many others searching for a bone marrow match. We truly appreciate everyone's support both prayerfully and financially...we are Faith-Hope-Love-Desimond and we are 13 years leukemia fighter STRONG! Thank you for taking the time to read through this memo, Sincerely Crystal