Kassie’s battle with leukemia
Donation protected
Brief Synopsis (Full story at the bottom of page):
After a week of confusing and alarming symptoms, Kassie was transferred to Vancouver General Hospital on August 3rd. She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and is undergoing chemotherapy for the next month. If chemotherapy is successful, they will continue treatment over the next 2-3 years, travelling from Abbotsford to the Leukemia centre in VGH. Kassie and Seth would like to pass on their thanks for all the prayers and support thus far and ask above everything else for continued prayers focusing on healing, strength and protection through this difficult time.
Purpose of Fund:
Friends and Family have been asking for ways in which they could support this couple during this time. There is uncertainty for them going forward. Hair pieces, fertility clinics, back-and-forth travel between Abbotsford and Vancouver for a couple years, less working hours for Seth (he is staying with Kassie in hospital) are some of the things on their mind that contributions could help go towards.
Kassie and Seth wanted to convey that that they are whole-heartedly thankful for each one of you who are wanting to help. They are asking for prayers above all, and they wanted to say that financial help is not expected from anyone. This fund isdesigned for those who are asking or looking for a way to support them.
Thank you everyone for your prayers and generosity.
Full Story if interested in reading:
In the first week of August, Kassie was uncharacteristically tired—sleeping in past her alarms, napping on her lunch break, coming home after work to sleep for an hour or two, as well as going to bed as early as 8pm. To add to the concern, she started to experience heavy nosebleeds and nausea. Although thenosebleeds would stop on the outside, she could taste and feel it in her throat for days.
When one of her co-workers suggested she go get bloodwork done (Thank God for her!) she still was hesitant about going. A second co-worker followed up to give her that extra bit of encouragement she needed. At first, the doctor was only planning on cauterizing her nose to stop the bleeding. Kassie remembered that she was specifically advised to get blood work done and mentioned that to the doctor. She proceeded to get a blood sample taken.
Later that evening, Kassie was heading to bed at her ‘new-normal’ time at 8:30pm. She missed a call from a private number. As she was checking the voicemail they called again.All they were told was that they had to go immediately to either Surrey Memorial or Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) and that Kassie’s ‘counts were low’. They hopped on the highway and drove quickly to Surrey from Abbotsford.
The first information Kassie and Seth gathered was that her platelets (clotting agent in the blood) were low. In a healthy adult, platelet counts can be expected to range between 150-400. When Kassie was admitted to Surrey Memorial Hospital, they were at 19. It wasn’t until 12:30am that a doctor entered the room to deliver the news. “From what we can tell, we are almost certain you have Leukemia. We don’t have any more information at this time and will have to wait for additional tests to determine the type. You should start planning to be in hospital for at least a week, perhaps longer.”
As one would expect, the news was devastating. They were transferred to the Leukemia ward at VGH on August 3rd via ambulance. Over the coming days, her diagnosis was narrowed down to Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). They learned that the remission rate is about 80%, and that about half of these remissions relapse (disease returns).
Kassie is currently undergoing the Induction phase of Chemotherapy. They are hoping to see a remission by the end of the first ~30day phase. If a remission is achieved, they will continue into the Consolidation and then finally Maintenance phases of Chemo, which could extend a total of 2-3 years.
If remission is not achieved, it means that the Chemo is not having the desired effect, and at that stage a Bone-Marrow transplant would be considered as an option; although the procedure has a much higher risk. Kassie’s siblings will be getting tested for Bone-Marrow typing to see if they are a match. This is being done proactively for the potential case that she requires a transplant.
PS. On August 10, Kassie and Seth got engaged in the hospital room after nearly seven years of dating!
After a week of confusing and alarming symptoms, Kassie was transferred to Vancouver General Hospital on August 3rd. She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and is undergoing chemotherapy for the next month. If chemotherapy is successful, they will continue treatment over the next 2-3 years, travelling from Abbotsford to the Leukemia centre in VGH. Kassie and Seth would like to pass on their thanks for all the prayers and support thus far and ask above everything else for continued prayers focusing on healing, strength and protection through this difficult time.
Purpose of Fund:
Friends and Family have been asking for ways in which they could support this couple during this time. There is uncertainty for them going forward. Hair pieces, fertility clinics, back-and-forth travel between Abbotsford and Vancouver for a couple years, less working hours for Seth (he is staying with Kassie in hospital) are some of the things on their mind that contributions could help go towards.
Kassie and Seth wanted to convey that that they are whole-heartedly thankful for each one of you who are wanting to help. They are asking for prayers above all, and they wanted to say that financial help is not expected from anyone. This fund isdesigned for those who are asking or looking for a way to support them.
Thank you everyone for your prayers and generosity.
Full Story if interested in reading:
In the first week of August, Kassie was uncharacteristically tired—sleeping in past her alarms, napping on her lunch break, coming home after work to sleep for an hour or two, as well as going to bed as early as 8pm. To add to the concern, she started to experience heavy nosebleeds and nausea. Although thenosebleeds would stop on the outside, she could taste and feel it in her throat for days.
When one of her co-workers suggested she go get bloodwork done (Thank God for her!) she still was hesitant about going. A second co-worker followed up to give her that extra bit of encouragement she needed. At first, the doctor was only planning on cauterizing her nose to stop the bleeding. Kassie remembered that she was specifically advised to get blood work done and mentioned that to the doctor. She proceeded to get a blood sample taken.
Later that evening, Kassie was heading to bed at her ‘new-normal’ time at 8:30pm. She missed a call from a private number. As she was checking the voicemail they called again.All they were told was that they had to go immediately to either Surrey Memorial or Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) and that Kassie’s ‘counts were low’. They hopped on the highway and drove quickly to Surrey from Abbotsford.
The first information Kassie and Seth gathered was that her platelets (clotting agent in the blood) were low. In a healthy adult, platelet counts can be expected to range between 150-400. When Kassie was admitted to Surrey Memorial Hospital, they were at 19. It wasn’t until 12:30am that a doctor entered the room to deliver the news. “From what we can tell, we are almost certain you have Leukemia. We don’t have any more information at this time and will have to wait for additional tests to determine the type. You should start planning to be in hospital for at least a week, perhaps longer.”
As one would expect, the news was devastating. They were transferred to the Leukemia ward at VGH on August 3rd via ambulance. Over the coming days, her diagnosis was narrowed down to Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). They learned that the remission rate is about 80%, and that about half of these remissions relapse (disease returns).
Kassie is currently undergoing the Induction phase of Chemotherapy. They are hoping to see a remission by the end of the first ~30day phase. If a remission is achieved, they will continue into the Consolidation and then finally Maintenance phases of Chemo, which could extend a total of 2-3 years.
If remission is not achieved, it means that the Chemo is not having the desired effect, and at that stage a Bone-Marrow transplant would be considered as an option; although the procedure has a much higher risk. Kassie’s siblings will be getting tested for Bone-Marrow typing to see if they are a match. This is being done proactively for the potential case that she requires a transplant.
PS. On August 10, Kassie and Seth got engaged in the hospital room after nearly seven years of dating!
Organizer and beneficiary
Heather Stam
Organizer
Chilliwack, BC
Seth Stenner
Beneficiary
