Sorry for my absence these last three weeks Nation. It's been the hardest time of my 37 years on Earth. My wife Laura started feeling under the weather around Dec 20th. We thought she had the flu at first and wasn't too worried. She felt weak, had body aches, and a small fever but that was all.
Fast forward to Dec 27th and she was suddenly became so weak she was having trouble walking. She also suddenly started having an insanely heavy period with gum bleeding and swollen Lymph Nodes
On the morning of Dec 28 my oldest son came running to me saying she fell and passed out heading to the bathroom. I picked her up, put her in the car and drove her to the ER.
After we were there an hour the Doc came in and said she would have to be air lifted to either Methodist in Memphis or Vanderbilt Medical. We live very close to Jackson so I asked them what's going on and why couldn't Jackson General take her. He said that her blood showed signs of Leukemia. As the words were coming out of his mouth it sounded that he was walking away down a tunnel. They could have told me she had Ebola and I think I wouldn't have been as shocked.
They air lifted her to Vanderbilt and on the way she had an heart attack and barely survived the night. She did stabilize and the next day I got the news I'd been dreading most. She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and 4 days later we found out she also was Philadelphia Chromosome positive. It was the worst case scenario. It attacked her spine, brain, and kidneys so she had to be put on dialysis and she can't walk.
All hope is not lost however. So far she has responded well to the chemo and she can sit up on her on now. She can move her legs and even was able to use a wheelchair yesterday. Her latest spinal tap showed that it's now out of her brain and kidneys and they took her off dialysis earlier this week.
We have 4 kids. Dennis who is 15, Isaac 10, Ruth 5 and Brooklyn 3. To say it's been hell on them is the understatement. She's still in critical care so they can't visit. They do Skype with her and that helps, but they want their momma home. I tell her everyday that she has to fight and win because she ain't leaving me to raise 4 kids on my own lol.
She's fighting with a will that amazes me. I know the long term outlook is grim but if I can just get her home and her healthy again for even a year that would be a dream come true.
Physically, emotionally and financially it has drained everything I've had but I'll be damned if I let this beat me. My wife and my kids need me now more than ever and you can bet your last dime I'm up for this fight.
My sister in law started a Go Fund Me and if it's okay with Freak I'll link it. I've never been one to ask for help, but I have learned to swallow my foolish pride.
I tell you Nation I don't know what I'm going to do if I loose her. She has been by my side for 17 years and she is the love of my life. These last 3 plus weeks have felt like a long nightmare.
Tell the ones you love just what they mean to you, and let petty disagreements and grudges go. Life is too fragile and short Nation. Live life to the fullest and treat everyday like it may be your last. Let go of negativity and focus on the good.
Here are some pics of me with Laura and some of my children. They are the reason I'm alive today and the reason I carry on. They make life worth living.
I love you all Nation and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Volnation is a second home to me and I've made many friends here over the years. You guys our my family to me. The internet would be a sorry place without this site.
Fundraiser by Erin Leigh Maynard : Lauras fight against Leukemia