Striving to keep up as these last few years have shown us that each day can be a different battle When living with blood cancer

Managing as a single mom with Waldenstrom has been beyond exhausting, so far I’ve managed to keep it together until this January. 
I was diagnosed officially 2 years ago- May 2023. After 2 years of watch and wait thru hematology. I did do 4 rounds of treatments chemo & immunotherapy, I stopped due to my immune system being compromised. All though none of my labs or symptoms were normal this past year just toughening through. 
My b cell symptoms have come back and it’s added up with my additional 2010 dx of MS which was in remission until recently. To add to the difficulty MRI scans showed T spine fractures, mild cord compression, stenosis & over all pain. Brain mri also showed new  encephalomalacia - soft brain tissue. Which made sense of migraines & brain fog. which can occur with MS. 
 

With multiple diagnosed medical conditions in today’s medical climate, it’s been impossible for absolute answers to what is what. I’ve experienced medical gaslighting just trying to ensure correct answers to why my spine is failing. Thrown in between 17 different doctors trying to get answers. It’s financially impossible to keep up & watching everything I’ve worked for start to fall apart.

Somedays im like why couldn’t I work from home or once I’m better if I just pray a little harder. Well prayer landed me here to finally admit I’m at a point where I need help. Not only for myself but for my kid’s & family too. 

I’ve held on as long as I can with out asking for assistance. Recently after 4 years of heavy dependence on credit cards , I couldn’t keep up payments. I have no credit to fall onto now. In matter of 3 months I’ve dropped in 400s. Which is demoralizing. My parents have had to pay utilities & house payments these last several months. Which has put them into debt as well. My children are having to do with out their needs as well. I have 3 kids in my household who have helped tremendously, I can’t even afford to buy clothes & shoes. I’ve applied for disability in 2023 was denied. Now it’s difficult managing to keep up with what disability lawyers are actually doing. Something has to give.

I’ve had to recently reschedule many appointments as my compressor for my ac in car is out. I live in North Carolina so yes AC is huge . With my B cell symptoms, malice , fatigue & overall pain ….. I’ve already had heat exacerbated sickness. That goes along with shortness of breath as I have red blood cells that are misshaped- so doctors have told me . Over all I need my car for many things as a mother & feel helpless right now.

I live in a county with limited resources for help with utilities as well. I carry a balance on all utilities. Going into summer I know I need help here as well. Normal me back before lymphoma ( Waldenstrom)  worsening MS, spine issues , migraines & over all malice’s …. Would be fine with AC in house at 79. I just can’t do that anymore I can’t breathe & fevers /chills won’t allow me over 76. I feel selfish saying this .

Make matters worse I’m fully aware I need to prepare for using walker & wheel chair on bad days if I’m not qualifying for neurosurgery to correct spinal cord injuries. Which means I will soon need resources to remove carpet. I need added rails in bathroom & common components in a disabled persons home.

After storm damage I also need to soon remove ceiling in kitchen & hire someone for mold removal in attic area. I’ve held off hoping for better days, disability approval & potentially a grant …. As yes mold can worsen symptoms for my children & self . We just have been holding onto hope that soon blessings would follow.

If possible I’d love a prayer chain , as that can create miracles.

I have my next oncologist/ hematologist appointment 5/22/2025. I’m scared bc last gynecologist visit found invasive cells in female reproductive system… which adds to getting a new PET scan & further biopsies. It is tricky bc it’s now multiple oncologists I’m dealing with & discussing what’s is next. Is it a form of lymphoma, Waldenstrom, or secondary cancer cells. Issue with Waldenstrom it shares plasma cells that’s found in myeloma.

That’s where I’m praying for answers & blessings. As because of my spinal issues & compression fractures in T spine with mild cord compression. Then new findings with gynecologist. It could be looking like more myeloma. Waldenstrom is a rare type of Nhl & it’s hard to always have the right diagnosis. If new PET or imaging shows any lystic lesions…. Then my diagnosis will change into myeloma.

That’s where I’m emotionally, mentally & physically exhausted & decided to share my story. It’s too much for one person to handle alone. It’s hard on kids & my family. As they have given me allot of help, time, energy & resources. But moving forward with all this ; we need blessings & assistance. Just to keep striving for answers & day to day functioning. 

If we could just raise enough to repair my car; it would make daily life easier. I’m basically sharing my story with you to ask for 1st prayers that I get  answers & that right course of action can be taken so I find some relief.

Thank you & many blessings to each of you that have read my story. Much love !

Sincerely,

Christa