To Support Debra Gonzales Kimball
Donation protected
Hi, My name is Marie Cameron and my sister Deb Gonzales Kimball needs our help. 100% of the go-fund-me proceeds will be given to Deb to assist her with her medical and living expenses. Below is her story...
Our story started back in 2013 when we were cross country truck drivers. We were crossing through the Denver area when I thought I was having a stroke. After many days of blood testing I was diagnosed with ITP, which is Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura. This means that my immune system attacks my platelets. I am requiring at least 2 transfusions per week. Normal platelet levels range from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Mine range from as low as 5,000 to 30,000. After many more tests in April and May 2019, the final diagnosis is AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia). It is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. The bone marrow makes abnormal myeloblasts which are a type of white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets.
I am a resident of Arizona and have been fighting this disease and it has caused a tremendous financial burden to the point where we can’t keep up any longer. I have been on long term disability since October 2018 and my husband took off work in December 2018 to get his own medical procedures done that he has delayed for the past 8 years. He returned to work on March 18, 2019 that requires him to travel throughout Texas. He provides hearing testing to companies that have OSHA mandated Hearing Conservation Programs in place. Before he returned to work he was my primary caregiver. He transported me to doctor appointments because my eyesight has deteriorated due to the medication I am on. My husband also monitored my nutrition, and exercise.
Fortunately my former Mother-in-Law will travel from California to be my caregiver until I am admitted to hospital for a stem cell transplant. The timeline for my stem cell transplant is approximately during the months of May and June of 2019. Chemo therapy starts the second or third week of May, 2019.
The money raised will be used for some daily living expenses for about 6 months; until we can get back on our feet. Because we have been on the road for the past 10 years we don’t have 24 months of rental history, so our rent is usually higher than normal. We are attempting to move closer to the hospital that I go to about 3-5 times a week. Our vehicle is a 2005 Dodge Caravan and will be needing some repairs soon. Hopefully the van will hold out until after my transplant procedure is over and our life can somewhat return to normal. The apartment complex we are attempting to get in is in Chandler, AZ.
This new apartment is 1 mile from my Primary Medical Provider and 3 miles from the hospital I go to for my transfusions. The hospital I will be going to for my stem cell replacement procedure is 20 miles from the apartment in Chandler. Currently we are traveling 89 miles round trip from our current apartment (Casa Grande, AZ) to the hospital.
The only income I have so far is approximately $768 a month from long term disability. My husband’s income has been increased to $39,000 a year starting in approximately June 2019, and he gets paid twice a month. Timing is everything at this point due to the medical bills, fuel for the van to go back and forth from the hospital, help with the rent, utilities and food.
I am currently on a donor list. I appreciate everyone that is reading this and would encourage anyone interested in becoming a donor to visit the National Marrow Donor Program at https://bethematch.org to learn how to donate blood stem cells. I also encourage anyone who would like more information to visit https://bmtinfonet.org.
Our story started back in 2013 when we were cross country truck drivers. We were crossing through the Denver area when I thought I was having a stroke. After many days of blood testing I was diagnosed with ITP, which is Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura. This means that my immune system attacks my platelets. I am requiring at least 2 transfusions per week. Normal platelet levels range from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Mine range from as low as 5,000 to 30,000. After many more tests in April and May 2019, the final diagnosis is AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia). It is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. The bone marrow makes abnormal myeloblasts which are a type of white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets.
I am a resident of Arizona and have been fighting this disease and it has caused a tremendous financial burden to the point where we can’t keep up any longer. I have been on long term disability since October 2018 and my husband took off work in December 2018 to get his own medical procedures done that he has delayed for the past 8 years. He returned to work on March 18, 2019 that requires him to travel throughout Texas. He provides hearing testing to companies that have OSHA mandated Hearing Conservation Programs in place. Before he returned to work he was my primary caregiver. He transported me to doctor appointments because my eyesight has deteriorated due to the medication I am on. My husband also monitored my nutrition, and exercise.
Fortunately my former Mother-in-Law will travel from California to be my caregiver until I am admitted to hospital for a stem cell transplant. The timeline for my stem cell transplant is approximately during the months of May and June of 2019. Chemo therapy starts the second or third week of May, 2019.
The money raised will be used for some daily living expenses for about 6 months; until we can get back on our feet. Because we have been on the road for the past 10 years we don’t have 24 months of rental history, so our rent is usually higher than normal. We are attempting to move closer to the hospital that I go to about 3-5 times a week. Our vehicle is a 2005 Dodge Caravan and will be needing some repairs soon. Hopefully the van will hold out until after my transplant procedure is over and our life can somewhat return to normal. The apartment complex we are attempting to get in is in Chandler, AZ.
This new apartment is 1 mile from my Primary Medical Provider and 3 miles from the hospital I go to for my transfusions. The hospital I will be going to for my stem cell replacement procedure is 20 miles from the apartment in Chandler. Currently we are traveling 89 miles round trip from our current apartment (Casa Grande, AZ) to the hospital.
The only income I have so far is approximately $768 a month from long term disability. My husband’s income has been increased to $39,000 a year starting in approximately June 2019, and he gets paid twice a month. Timing is everything at this point due to the medical bills, fuel for the van to go back and forth from the hospital, help with the rent, utilities and food.
I am currently on a donor list. I appreciate everyone that is reading this and would encourage anyone interested in becoming a donor to visit the National Marrow Donor Program at https://bethematch.org to learn how to donate blood stem cells. I also encourage anyone who would like more information to visit https://bmtinfonet.org.
Organizer
Marie Cameron
Organizer
Beacon Falls, CT
