Tyra Sturdivan’s Battle with AML
Donation protected
Welcome to the story of my sweet cousin, Tyra Sturdivan. Tyra lives in Jones, Oklahoma with her husband of 15 years, Mark, and their three children; ages 14, 11 & 7. Tyra was originally diagnosed with a 23 cm Liposarcoma in 2013. She received in-patient chemotherapy over four months, and 32 rounds of radiation. Unfortunately, Thyroid cancer was also found in 2014, which was successfullyremoved and treated. During a routine scan in 2017 doctors thought there was a reoccurrence, and surgically removed it. Luckily it was a hematoma, but the wound has never fully healed. Tyra still has an open wound at this time, which has to be treated daily.
As if that wasn’t enough for a lifetime, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, on April 12, 2018. Tyra’s oncologist referred her to MD Anderson in Houston Texas, seven hours from home, for treatment. She began a 28 day cycle of chemotherapy on May 1, 2018. Ten-days in patient, and twenty-one days out patient in Houston. Tyra is about to begin cycle 3 of chemotherapy.
Once the chemo is successful and Leukemia is in “remission”, they will begin preparing her for a bone marrow transplant. This is absolutely necessary for a cure. The preparation takes anywhere from 1-2 weeks. They then would perform the transplant, and she will be hospitalized for 3-4 weeks. Upon release, she will be required to be within 15 minutes of her doctors, for 100 days. This is also pending that there are no complications. Her brother, and best chance for a donor, was not a complete match. They are now searching for a non-familial donor. We would like to give many thanks to those who have sent in DNA kits to bethematch.org campaign for Tyra.
Mark and the children are still living in Oklahoma and continue to pay their regular bills; mortgage, household expenses, etc. All while trying to juggle some resemblance of a normal life, without their wife and mother. As she is far from home fighting for her life.
Tyra has been blessed with a borrowed RV, and is able to stay in Houston. Due to needing to be under the care of her team of doctors, and present for labs three times weekly. Tyra’s mother, Dana, is staying with her full time, and has left her job to do so. Mark is unable to leave his job, as he is the family’s sole provider at this time. With Tyra unable to work and run her beloved business of 12 years, Sturdi Stitches, and having to close down her retail store as of July 1, 2018; understandably their funds have begun to run out and credit cards are maxed.
This is a break down of expenses that Tyra has actually shared with me:
*RV needs a replacement electrical board to have hot water. Currently they have no hot water. The AC unit needs repair and servicing. (This is going to be quite pricy)
*They had to replace tires on Tyra’s car for the traveling - $1200
*Monthly rent for the RV Park is - $794
*Monthly electric bill varies from - $150-235
*Parking at MD Anderson is - $12-$15 daily, and she is there no less than 3 days per week =$180+
*Monthly prescriptions are - $264.75
*Monthly wound care supplies are - $107
*Gas for travel to Oklahoma one way is $85-$100
*Groceries & living expenses can range from - $450 + monthly
*Tyra currently owes about $2,200.00 more in out of pocket medical bills. Which will increase at years end.
*Lost wages
*Helping to cover caretaker expenses.
Tyra has always been a giver and an advocate for MANY local charities, and fundraisers. For instance, she donated $5,000 to American Red Cross for the Moore tornado relief. She donates shirts and promo products for different 501c charities. Tyra also donated T-shirt’s for the 2018 teacher walk out. As well as helped put together countless team, school, and individual fundraisers for those in need. Tyra is far too proud to ask for help, even in her most desperate time of need. Let’s show her our support and love by helping her family on this long and stressful journey. Financial worries should not be such a constant concern.
You are welcome to follow the Team Tyra Facebook page, the link is posted below. The page was set up in 2013 and chronicles her journey. It also helps to keep her spirits up, as well, update her family and friends. Please consider donating to this beautiful family, and know, any amount will help. If you can’t donate, please consider seeing if you’re a possible match. The link for submitting your DNA kit, is posted below.
Let’s help this precious wife and mother fight this awful battle. No one should have to worry about the burden of all the extra expenses, during a time like this. Thank you for taking the time to read about Tyra, her family, and her journey.
God bless
https://www.facebook.com/TeamTyra/
https://getinvolved.dkms.org/fundraiser/1453642
As if that wasn’t enough for a lifetime, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, on April 12, 2018. Tyra’s oncologist referred her to MD Anderson in Houston Texas, seven hours from home, for treatment. She began a 28 day cycle of chemotherapy on May 1, 2018. Ten-days in patient, and twenty-one days out patient in Houston. Tyra is about to begin cycle 3 of chemotherapy.
Once the chemo is successful and Leukemia is in “remission”, they will begin preparing her for a bone marrow transplant. This is absolutely necessary for a cure. The preparation takes anywhere from 1-2 weeks. They then would perform the transplant, and she will be hospitalized for 3-4 weeks. Upon release, she will be required to be within 15 minutes of her doctors, for 100 days. This is also pending that there are no complications. Her brother, and best chance for a donor, was not a complete match. They are now searching for a non-familial donor. We would like to give many thanks to those who have sent in DNA kits to bethematch.org campaign for Tyra.
Mark and the children are still living in Oklahoma and continue to pay their regular bills; mortgage, household expenses, etc. All while trying to juggle some resemblance of a normal life, without their wife and mother. As she is far from home fighting for her life.
Tyra has been blessed with a borrowed RV, and is able to stay in Houston. Due to needing to be under the care of her team of doctors, and present for labs three times weekly. Tyra’s mother, Dana, is staying with her full time, and has left her job to do so. Mark is unable to leave his job, as he is the family’s sole provider at this time. With Tyra unable to work and run her beloved business of 12 years, Sturdi Stitches, and having to close down her retail store as of July 1, 2018; understandably their funds have begun to run out and credit cards are maxed.
This is a break down of expenses that Tyra has actually shared with me:
*RV needs a replacement electrical board to have hot water. Currently they have no hot water. The AC unit needs repair and servicing. (This is going to be quite pricy)
*They had to replace tires on Tyra’s car for the traveling - $1200
*Monthly rent for the RV Park is - $794
*Monthly electric bill varies from - $150-235
*Parking at MD Anderson is - $12-$15 daily, and she is there no less than 3 days per week =$180+
*Monthly prescriptions are - $264.75
*Monthly wound care supplies are - $107
*Gas for travel to Oklahoma one way is $85-$100
*Groceries & living expenses can range from - $450 + monthly
*Tyra currently owes about $2,200.00 more in out of pocket medical bills. Which will increase at years end.
*Lost wages
*Helping to cover caretaker expenses.
Tyra has always been a giver and an advocate for MANY local charities, and fundraisers. For instance, she donated $5,000 to American Red Cross for the Moore tornado relief. She donates shirts and promo products for different 501c charities. Tyra also donated T-shirt’s for the 2018 teacher walk out. As well as helped put together countless team, school, and individual fundraisers for those in need. Tyra is far too proud to ask for help, even in her most desperate time of need. Let’s show her our support and love by helping her family on this long and stressful journey. Financial worries should not be such a constant concern.
You are welcome to follow the Team Tyra Facebook page, the link is posted below. The page was set up in 2013 and chronicles her journey. It also helps to keep her spirits up, as well, update her family and friends. Please consider donating to this beautiful family, and know, any amount will help. If you can’t donate, please consider seeing if you’re a possible match. The link for submitting your DNA kit, is posted below.
Let’s help this precious wife and mother fight this awful battle. No one should have to worry about the burden of all the extra expenses, during a time like this. Thank you for taking the time to read about Tyra, her family, and her journey.
God bless
https://www.facebook.com/TeamTyra/
https://getinvolved.dkms.org/fundraiser/1453642
Organizer and beneficiary
January Anderson-Howell
Organizer
Kerrville, TX
Tyra Sturdivan
Beneficiary
