Katie’s Story

Site created on November 14, 2018

Katie started her freshman year at UW La Crosse and was not feeling well at the end of October. She went into the student health center on October 29th and they ran an assortment of blood and heart tests. These tests found that her white blood cell count was highly elevated. The staff at UWL expressed the concern that she may have Leukemia and recommended immediate hospitalization. Bonnie, Bryan and Quinn drove immediately to La Crosse to pick Katie up and bring her back to Froedtert in Milwaukee. While waiting for family, Katie was able to pack her belongings and inform her close friends that she would be leaving.  Once at Froedtert it was conformed that she had some type of Leukemia and measures were taken to bring her white blood cell count down.  She spent the night in ICU and was transferred the next day to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (CHW) ICU. Treatment was started immediately as well as more tests to confirm the specific type of Leukemia. On November 1st,  2018 Katie was diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.  She started treatment and Katie was released home on Tuesday, November 6th. She is receiving chemo and many drugs to combat the Leukemia and will be visiting the CHW Oncology Clinic and MACC Fund Day Hospital weekly.

Newest Update

Back to UW LaCrosse....

Journal entry by Bonnie Manzeck —

I’m going to be lazy and just copy what I just updated FaceBook with since I know some people aren’t on FB.....

Today marks the return of Katie back to classes at UW La Crosse🧡  To be honest we never thought we would make it to this day when she had to leave on October 29, 2018. What a rough 15 months....and she has another 14 months of treatment to go. Monthly chemo appointments back in Milwaukee and daily, weekly and monthly chemo pills. Still moving slow, can become tired easily and battles nausea but this is the next step to trying to get back to a “normal” life! Her immune system is very low and she is very susceptible to infection and if she gets a fever will have to go to the ER. Please send positive thoughts that she stays healthy🌟
Read More of the journal titled "Back to UW LaCrosse...."
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Katie Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $30 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Katie's site for one month. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?

Leave a comment of support for Katie

Did you know? A quick comment, no matter the situation (positive or negative), can boost morale by 28.2%.

Comments Hide comments

Load more comments
Read More Journal Entries

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

Personal Fundraiser
Support Links
Helpful Requests
Go to Ways to Help
SVG_Icons_Back_To_Top
Top