Dorothy’s Story

Site created on October 6, 2022

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May 1st, 2021 is a day I will never forget, I was on a group call with two of my besties when I started to feel a headache like no other. I assumed this headache was from stress as I just completed my final classes and was set to graduate with my Bachelors in English in just a week's time. I took a couple of Excedrin and went on with my life unaware that this life of mine was about to change forever.  A few weeks later the headache returned and so did the Excedrin I would take them around the clock in an attempt to grasp some kind of relief. I would call my mom and complain to her daily about this persistent headache and she would beg me to go to the hospital. I didn't have health insurance in the state of Arkansas so I was reluctant to set up appointments. I finally went to ER and after adequate bloodwork, I was told that my hemoglobin was at a 5 and I needed a blood transfusion quickly. (for context a normal hemoglobin level is 12) This process would repeat itself more than ten times over the next six months.  I moved from Arkansas back home to Minnesota where I would spend the next few months being poked and prodded in hopes to find the cause of all of this pain. In October 2021 I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma a type of blood cancer found in older people. In my case, this kind of cancer is extremely rare because I am young, have no family history of this, and am overall healthy. Since October of 2021, I have been on countless medications and three different kinds of chemotherapy. I undergo chemotherapy weekly. In Spring of 2022, my team of physicians collectively decided that my best chance at remission would be for me to undergo a bone marrow transplant which will take place this Fall. I will lose my hair as a result of the intense chemotherapy. The recovery time will be 100 days with 24-hour care each day. I will not be able to work during this time. I also won't be paid while I am on this three-month leave. I will not be able to leave my house during this time as my chances of infection are at an all-time high. I will have to pay out of pocket for my health insurance after two months of my leave. The financial burden of all of this is weighing heavy on me.  I never expected in a million years that cancer would be a part of my life and especially not at this capacity. Though I get discouraged I know that there is a purpose for everything one endures in this lifetime. I am blessed regardless of the circumstances and I will stay blessed regardless of the outcome.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/dorothy-recover-after-bone-marrow-transplant?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1


mealtrain.com/0866o4

Newest Update

Journal entry by Dorothy Williams

Hi there friends, Happy Belated Holidays. I hope you’ve all enjoyed them. I am 13 days away from the 2 month anniversary of my BMT. I concluded my bed rest on December 23rd. I’m thankful for the television streaming sites for keeping me engaged. I am now able to leave my house I never thought I’d miss outside so much. I am still experiencing painful headaches that barely Tylenol can relieve, my doctor said we will discover ways to cease the headaches. I have needed a few blood transfusions since my transplant. Two in the last two weeks to be exact. My medical team said that it’s normal to have a fluctuating hemoglobin in the first year after BMT. I’m hoping my hemoglobin improves soon.  For the most part, I’m okay. Just trying to keep up the good fight, I am tired and I’m hoping that cancer will be a thing of the past soon. Btw what are some good vegetarian meals? I feel like I don’t have many options since I cut meat out of my diet. I’ve lost 13 pounds since my BMT and my doctor is concerned about the weight loss. I need to focus on having balanced meals regardless of how I feel.  “Everything will be okay in the end and if everything isn’t okay it is not the end.” The fight continues. Thanks for reading. Sending you all love and light.❤️

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