Jacob's Journey
Donation protected
Saving Jacobs Life,
On November 3, 2017, Jacob was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, commonly known as CML. At 20 years old, it was a rare diagnosis, as most people with CML are over the age of 40. It has been a struggle of finding the right dosage and type of medication for Jacob to keep his blood cells at a normal level and eventually reach remission.
Jacob almost reached full remission, when in July 2018 he suddenly developed severely enlarged lymph nodes increasing in size on his neck. Jacob’s oncologist discovered leukemia blast cells in his lymph nodes growing rapidly. Jacob and all the people that love him were devastated with this news. This is an already rare form of leukemia for his age and the sudden onset of symptoms in the lymph nodes only occurs in 5% of patients with CML. Jacob’s oncologists were treading in unknown territory, with only a few case studies for guidance. They decided the best course of action was to start a round of chemo before going to Tufts in Boston for a bone marrow transplant, fortunately a donor has been located.
There are so few people that have had CML take this symptomatic course, that there are no significant studies or research done. His oncologists are following the best course of action while conferencing with the COG (the worldwide Children’s Oncology Group) and several hospitals throughout the U.S..
Jacob turned 21 in April and has experienced nothing that a young man should have to face during what is supposed to be the most adventurous years of his youth. Currently Jacob has been in the hospital for 41 days for a round of 3 types of chemo and recovery that was supposed to last only 29 days. Jacob wants to go home, but doctor’s order, must stay here. Jacob is a fighter though and his spirits are strong. Some days are better than others, as he has been most recently fighting fevers and bacterial infections. It’s difficult to watch our Jacob go through this experience not being able to see him on some days because his immune system is too weak.
Jacob had been living a full life like any young adult having been attending college and working part time when this news disrupted his life. His depleted immune system prevents him from having a job and keeps him stuck in the hospital with constant medical exams and doctor visits. He misses driving his old manual shift car, taking his girlfriend to the movies, playing with their dog, Yara, and eating American-Chinese food.
Over the holiday months, Jacob will be hospital bound for another 29+ days of chemo here in Maine and then the team of doctors plan to ship him off to Boston for an invasive bone marrow transplant. Jacob will be completely quarantined in the hospital for upwards of 4-6 months and again at home for another several months with restrictions. He has no way to support himself or pay the expenses he is incurring outside of some family assistance for over a year. The insurance covers most of his medical bills since he has been approved but there are still many bills left unpaid. The costs of living through this battle have quickly begun depleting Jacob’s and our bank accounts.
Unfortunately, family is not enough to support him and his medical expenses. If you can help us defray some of Jacob’s medical and living expenses, this would mean so much and truly be a blessing. If you cannot help financially at this time, please join us in our team of prayer warriors. God is good!
Sincerely,
Jacob’s Family
On November 3, 2017, Jacob was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, commonly known as CML. At 20 years old, it was a rare diagnosis, as most people with CML are over the age of 40. It has been a struggle of finding the right dosage and type of medication for Jacob to keep his blood cells at a normal level and eventually reach remission.
Jacob almost reached full remission, when in July 2018 he suddenly developed severely enlarged lymph nodes increasing in size on his neck. Jacob’s oncologist discovered leukemia blast cells in his lymph nodes growing rapidly. Jacob and all the people that love him were devastated with this news. This is an already rare form of leukemia for his age and the sudden onset of symptoms in the lymph nodes only occurs in 5% of patients with CML. Jacob’s oncologists were treading in unknown territory, with only a few case studies for guidance. They decided the best course of action was to start a round of chemo before going to Tufts in Boston for a bone marrow transplant, fortunately a donor has been located.
There are so few people that have had CML take this symptomatic course, that there are no significant studies or research done. His oncologists are following the best course of action while conferencing with the COG (the worldwide Children’s Oncology Group) and several hospitals throughout the U.S..
Jacob turned 21 in April and has experienced nothing that a young man should have to face during what is supposed to be the most adventurous years of his youth. Currently Jacob has been in the hospital for 41 days for a round of 3 types of chemo and recovery that was supposed to last only 29 days. Jacob wants to go home, but doctor’s order, must stay here. Jacob is a fighter though and his spirits are strong. Some days are better than others, as he has been most recently fighting fevers and bacterial infections. It’s difficult to watch our Jacob go through this experience not being able to see him on some days because his immune system is too weak.
Jacob had been living a full life like any young adult having been attending college and working part time when this news disrupted his life. His depleted immune system prevents him from having a job and keeps him stuck in the hospital with constant medical exams and doctor visits. He misses driving his old manual shift car, taking his girlfriend to the movies, playing with their dog, Yara, and eating American-Chinese food.
Over the holiday months, Jacob will be hospital bound for another 29+ days of chemo here in Maine and then the team of doctors plan to ship him off to Boston for an invasive bone marrow transplant. Jacob will be completely quarantined in the hospital for upwards of 4-6 months and again at home for another several months with restrictions. He has no way to support himself or pay the expenses he is incurring outside of some family assistance for over a year. The insurance covers most of his medical bills since he has been approved but there are still many bills left unpaid. The costs of living through this battle have quickly begun depleting Jacob’s and our bank accounts.
Unfortunately, family is not enough to support him and his medical expenses. If you can help us defray some of Jacob’s medical and living expenses, this would mean so much and truly be a blessing. If you cannot help financially at this time, please join us in our team of prayer warriors. God is good!
Sincerely,
Jacob’s Family
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Organizer
Arianna Bjork
Organizer
Carmel, ME
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