First post:
Jul 30, 2020 Latest post:
Mar 22, 2024
Ida’s story to her friends posted by Dad:
I’m reaching out because I love you all and wanted to give you and heads up on what’s going on in my life, because right now it’s a little confusing. This is super new for me. I’m still going through procedures and stuff and honestly, I'm super emotional.
On Monday, July 27, I called my doctor in New York because I wasn’t feeling well. She said I was probably fine, but that I should get a blood test done before seeing her on Thursday. I was staying in Oxford, Maryland with Michael during COVID, so I went to a place called "Your Doc's In!" (no joke - that was the name of the place that probably saved my life). The doctor was concerned by my results because my white blood cell and platelet counts were very, very low. He immediately sent me to Easton Hospital for further evaluation.
In the ER - I was tested for a number of things, but ultimately, they were confident I have leukemia. They called Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) for support diagnosing and treating me, and JHH immediately sent a medivac helicopter to pick me up. Everyone was so nice, but I was scared out of my mind. Luckily by this time, Mike and my Dad were with me.
Treatment and beyond - At JHH, the doctors diagnosed me with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). I am starting my chemotherapy on Friday (July 31). I’ll be at JHH in Baltimore for the next 28 days getting intensive inpatient treatment. If it all goes well, I will then be able to leave the hospital and continue outpatient treatment. My doctor is encouraging me to stay close to Mike and my parents, so we will likely move to DC, or possibly get an apartment in Baltimore for the foreseeable future.
We caught this early. I'm on the younger side of patients with this condition, so it's treatable, and the prognosis is good. It's going to be exhausting and challenging for the next few months/year, but I have the best support system out there and feel truly blessed for that.
I love you all so, so much and cannot wait to get weird with you once this is over - Love, Ida
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