Lifeline Project Profiles: Srinivas, Vicky, and Barbara
Meet Srinivas, Vicky, and Barbara. They are the latest Lifeline Project participants to be profiled in our ongoing series highlighting the needs of transplant patients.
Srinivas
Srinivas
Srinivas was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in February of 2010. Since he began treatment he has had numerous life threatening complications; septic shock, bile peritonitis, lung infection, kidney failure, cerebral edema, and subsequent gangrene in both of his legs. Unfortunately, one of his wounds was not healing fast enough in order for him to move forward with a potentially life-saving cord blood transplant and he had to make the painful decision to amputate his right leg below the knee. Srinivas is now moving forward with treatment and is determined to be cured of his cancer.
Vicky
Vicky
Vicky was first diagnosed with multiple myeloma in April of 2005. She underwent a stem cell transplant in May of 2007, and after a recurrence, she underwent a bone marrow transplant in October of 2009. She is currently undergoing treatment again in order to go back into remission. Unfortunately she lives 90 miles from the treatment center and is having difficulty affording transportation. Vicky will be grateful for any assistance during this time.
Barbara
Barbara
Four years ago, Barbara was diagnosed with myeloproliferative disorder. Since then many tests were conducted to determine her best course of treatment, which was decided to be a bone marrow transplant. Barbara relocated to a different state away from her family in order to undergo the procedure. Due to an infection, her transplant was put on hold, as she needed to have her spleen removed. Doctors then discovered that her white blood count had increased and her original diagnosis was wrong, Barbara had leukemia. She now must remain out of state while awaiting further testing and treatment.
To help these or any of the Lifeline Project participants, click here.
No hair, don’t care!
Julie Mueller – a seamstress, bibliophile, fishing enthusiast, loving dog rescuer, and wonderful mother of one daughter and one Corgi – recently underwent a stem cell transplant in February for stage III multiple myeloma.
Julie and Miranda after their new do
As an act of support, Julie’s daughter, Miranda, promised she would shave her hair when the time came. Eventually, Julie began losing her hair in handfuls, so they sent for the hairdresser. Julie shaved off about 6 inches of hair and Miranda shaved off 11 inches, all of which Miranda donated to Locks of Love, an organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss.
Miranda and friends watching on
For added encouragement as they were chopping their tresses off, Miranda turned to her friends in Paris – where she had been living for six months before moving back to the United States to be Julie’s caregiver. Via video chat, Miranda’s friends supportively watched as Julie and Miranda got their hair buzzed.
Both Julie and Miranda are being incredibly positive and have expressed thanks to everyone who has been helping them through their journey.
Lifeline Project Profiles: Ana, Eugene, and John
Meet Ana, Eugene, and John. They are the latest Lifeline Project participants to be profiled in our ongoing series highlighting the needs of transplant patients.
Ana
Ana
Ana was initially diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in December of 2009. She was treated with six cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy and went into remission in June of 2010. Unfortunately she relapsed a year later and would need to undergo more chemotherapy as well as an autologous stem cell transplant. Ana has been through a lengthy treatment and could use help with her medical expenses.
Eugene
Eugene
Eugene is a former case manager, social worker, and secondary school teacher whose working career was cut short in January of 2009 when he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Despite undergoing treatment and a bone marrow transplant his cancer is still not in remission. Eugene is continuing to undergo treatment, which has put him and his wife in a difficult financial situation. Neither of them can maintain employment while they focus on his care and they are desperately in need of assistance with their rent payments.
John
John
John was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in April of 2010. Since that time he has undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy, several blood transfusions, and a bone marrow transplant. As a result of the lengthy treatment, John could not return to work and was terminated by his employer. His wife, Debra, also needed to stop working in order to be his caregiver. They are now faced with multiple expenses, including the additional cost of housing near the transplant center. Despite the challenges they are focusing on the future and have just celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary.
To help these or any of the Lifeline Project participants, click here.
