The Valley…

In July of 2021 I went in for a routine doctor visit and had comprehensive blood tests after not feeling quite right for about a week and a half. I was experiencing high heart rates of over 120 several times a day after normal activities (doing dishes, taking a shower, watering plants, etc.) and feeling completely wiped out and tired. Since my primary physician was out of the office I saw the PA who ran an EKG, wanted me to go on high blood pressure medicine, suggested the usual tests: mammography, colonoscopy, pap and the like. All of which I knew was not the issue, I knew that something else was happening to my body. So after I went in for the blood tests, the following week, I received a phone call late afternoon from a dear friend who was a physician from the family practice where I had my tests done. I thought she was calling to catch up yet I soon realized why she called. Very calmly and quietly she told me “what I was about to hear I wasn’t going to like, I needed to check myself into the ER right away because my platelet count was at 11k, I was extremely anemic, I would need a platelet transfusion and a bone marrow biopsy right away because this could be Leukemia.” She prayed with me on the phone then asked if I understood everything she just told me while my husband and I scrambled to pack up what little we could and headed off to the ER. I am SO grateful I heard the news from her rather than someone I didn’t know.

After being in the ER for 12 hours, I received my 1st platelet transfusion, I was moved to a room in the hospital where I met my team of doctors. Who were perplexed as to my condition and thought this could have been brought on by a virus. I needed to have a bone marrow biopsy to see exactly what was really happening. My primary oncologist Dr Prins, ordered a series of blood panels and began to unravel the mystery. She thought I looked “too healthy and young” for this to be happening to me. She assured me that whatever I had it could be taken care of. She was insistent on moving me to a private room in Oncology. Before I had my biopsy I needed a plasma transfusion as well. Results from a biopsy can take up to 10-14 days depending on the complexities and/or abnormalities shown. The initial findings showed severe fibrosis (Myelofibrosis) in my marrow preventing proper blood cell distribution. Along with possible MPN (Myeloproliferative Neoplasm) or MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome) they weren’t exactly sure and the sample had to be sent out to multiply pathology agencies over the following weeks.

In the meantime, I went in routinely for blood draws twice a week and transfusions when needed. In the month of July I had 5 platelet transfusions and spoke to an expert in Stem Cell Transplants from OHSU, who told me this was my only chance for survival. In August I had 6 more platelet transfusions and 2 more plasma transfusions. I had my second bone marrow biopsy on the 20th and after a week it was concluded I indeed had MDS with Dense Marrow Fibrosis 3/3. To say I was devastated would be an understatement but I knew God was with me and would take care of me no matter what lay ahead.

In total I had 53 platelet transfusions, 21 plasma transfusions, 9 bone marrow biopsies, along with 2 rounds of low dose chemo and 5 rounds of heavy duty chemo “to kill me before they bring me back to life” LOL!

I have been in remission since July of ’22, after having my life saving Stem Cell Transplant in January that same year. You can read about all the details in the links below…Through it all God never left my side, He continues to heal and strengthen me each and every day. To Him Be The Glory Now And Forever!