Click here to support Laura’s fight against Leukemia organized by Dennis Duncan
Hey Nation I really wish I had better news to report of Laura's Leukemia has returned to her spinal fluid and brain. She told me over the weekend she had a mild headache and had gotten night sweats the last couple days. We were hoping it was just a bug but Monday we got word that it had returned. The bad news is the spinal fluid and brain is the hardest body to beat it back. The good news is she has beat it out of before. She went into her first spinal remission back in March months before she achieved her bone marrow remission. It's rare to get a second spinal remission but it isn't impossible. The odds may be long but she's already beaten longer odds by beating it out of her Brain, Spine, Kidneys, and Bone Marrow on top of beating back a MRSA infection from her arm, leg, heart and lungs. She's more determined than ever to beat this back.
Her chemo treatments have changed drastically. She was only being admitted once a month for maintenance therapy. Now she has to receive and new chemo cocktail through a spinal tap each week and in the next week or two we'll learn if she'll need radiation therapy. She had to be removed off her Sprycel 3 weeks ago because it was damaging her heart. There are other drugs they're looking into with similar effects so we're keeping our fingers crossed. With it returning to her spinal fluid her chance of achieving a full cure even with Stem Cells therapy are very low. Her having the Philadelphia Chromosome just makes it so much difficult than just the ALL. It's grim Nation I can't but there's still hope. If the chemo
, radiation, and stem cells and fails there are still clinical trials. She's not out of options yet.
I won't lie this has been a harder gut punch than last December for whatever reason. She hit her remissions, beat back the MRSA and for just a moment we got to breath again. Then just like that damn demon cancer ravages her again. Last night after she was alseep I lost it again. I thought everyone was asleep but my oldest son Dennis must have heard me. He came to be and wrapped his arms around me and we wept together. That boy has been through so damn much and I feel so ashamed that a 16 year old kid had to comfort his father. Nation you have no idea how proud I am of him. He's wanted to be an officer in the Air Force since he was 7. He's in ROTC and loving it. He's been able to maintain a 3.8 GPA through all this and next year he wants to tour the Air Academy in Colorado Springs and come hell or high water that will happen. His dream is to one day be a Officer in the Air Force. He wants to serve and honor his country and be an career officer. It's all he talks about and it's a personal goal he's set for himself as a young child.
View attachment 172480View attachment 172481View attachment 172494
I'm sorry for rambling on Nation. I'm just so proud and amazed by both of their grit, guts, and determination. They're special people and there are no words that can describe just how proud I am of them. They're cut from the same cloth.
I want to thank yall for the continued thoughts prayers and support. I really hate to have to ask again but we've ran into some for finacial issues. Our van is having transmission issues and having to make the long trip to Vanderbilt once or twice each week now has drained us financially. Just know I wouldn't ask for myself under any circumstance but I'll do anything for her. I just want her foucusing solely on getting better and not worrying about our finaces. It's humiliating because it's a man job to take care of his family and here I am having to ask you all for help. All I can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart and I hope to some day be able to return my debt to each and everyone of you.
This place has been my refuge for so long. I've made so many friends and family here. You guys have put up with a lot from me and I know I can be stupid and over the top at times but just know it isn't intentional or malicious.
I love yall Nation I love yall from the bottom of my heart and I'd be in sorry shape without this place
GBO
