Hi Everyone,

Thank you for visiting the fundraising page for my Stem Cell Transplant. With this one-to-one Bone Marrow BMCF fundraising page, all donations are tax-deductible and 100% of donations go directly to paying for transplant-related expenses (medical bills, transportation, medicines). 

In February 2016 I was first diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. After additional tests, my doctors at Georgetown University Hospital found out that I had a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma called "Double Hit". My official diagnosis was Non-Hodgkin's Diffuse Large B Cell Double Hit Lymphoma. This is a type of blood cancer that requires chemotherapy for treatment. I initially was started on outpatient chemo of R-CHOP but, after my doctors realized I had double hit we switched my treatment to the more aggressive inpatient chemo of R-EPOCH and I went through 5 rounds of 5-6 days in the hospital receiving constant chemotherapy. After several rounds of treatment, the grace of God, and amazing care and support from my family, doctors, nurses and team at Georgetown on July 28th, 2016 I received news that my cancer was in remission!

A year later I went in for my routine scans and everything looked fine, however, a few weeks later I noticed pain and soreness in my throat. My cancer had returned. My team at Georgetown quickly started me on a treatment plan. The type of cancer I had is extremely fast and aggressive and the doctors explained that it would continue to come back and the next time we may not be able to catch it in time. In addition, there may be a day when chemo no longer works at getting rid of my cancer, it may become chemo-resistant. In order to give me the best chance at a cure, my doctors said I needed a stem cell transplant. A stem cell (AKA bone marrow) transplant is where we use chemotherapy to reduce my immune system to zero in order to receive a new immune system from a donor. Thankfully both of my children were half matches as there was not enough time to get a donor from the donor bank. While both of my children were matches the doctor selected Taylor to donate her stem cells. Donating stem cells is a process similar to donating blood - the stem cells are collected through an IV. 

I received chemo to prepare me to receive donor stem cells. I am currently in the hospital for a minimum of 30 days (roughly until December 1 pending any complications) in order to build up my new immune system. After my counts reach a certain level I will be able to go home where I will need 24/7 round the clock care and watch from Stacey and family for 3 months. After the round the clock care I will be home for an additional 3 months while I build my immune system. Eventually, I will be able to get shots again (chickenpox, flu, MMR, etc.) with my new immune system.

This is a long and serious process but with faith and family, we will make it though! Thank you to everyone who has prayed, offered support, phone calls, food, kind words, and thoughts.