Dear Family
and Friends,
As you probably know, I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2000 and
then again in 2006. Thanks to the advances in medical research, my
chances for recovery are better than ever. Sadly I am but one of the
500,000 currently living with this disease. Lymphoma is the second
fastest rising cancer in the
In 2000 when I was first diagnosed with Non Hodgkin Lymphoma I thought the
world was coming to and end. I went through 8 rounds of triple dose chops
(chemo treatments) lost my hair and was in bed for 6 days after each
treatment. I managed to pull my self through everyday with the strong
support I had of my Husband, Family and Friends along with all the prayers and
help was just the best. Then in 2005 I came upon another lump in my
throat, with the removal of this in 2006 I was told the cancer had returned. I
was so sure that I wasn’t going to do anymore treatments the first ones just
did me in. After the CT Scans should that I had 7 more tumors all around
the chest and different areas of my body my Oncologists Dr Jane Winter at
Northwestern Memorial Hospital told me she was going to be heading up a study
program to which I still wasn’t sure I was going to do. After many
conversations with my husband and brother (these two really pushed me) I
decided that I would go ahead and try this treatment. I did a chemo drug
called Rutuxin for one month, had one of my larger
tumors removed from under the arm so that they could make a vaccine from it
designed specifically for me. What is happening is they are putting my
cancer back into me to fight the cancer that is already there. This is to teach
my immune system to fight the bad cancer cells. I was told I would be
receiving 5 injections monthly. 2 injections are given at the hospital the
other three at home by my loving husband. These injections started with
going to the doctor every month and have now been moved to every three months.
The main goal is to have these injections every 6 months for as long as I am
here. So far these treatments for me have been a life saver. Of
course I will have to do these shots for the rest of my life, but this
treatment is a far cry from the first time I was diagnosed. For the past
several CT scans I have only showed signs of shadows to where the original
tumors were and no new ones are popping up. This is the best news anyone could
get when they go to the doctor. I have been told that my study may be
coming to an end this year due to funding.
This
disease is currently “incurable” and statistics show I’ll see the disease
recur. I need your help for research and funding to stay on these
treatments and help find a cure.
So on
I am
personally challenging the many friends, family and associates of myself to
donate collectively. Just as someone’s contribution led
to the research in developing the treatment I am currently undergoing, your
contribution will further the quest to find a cure. Donations can
be made online at www.lymphomathon.org under my Team’s
Name currently it is Marleen’s Quest, or mailed back
to me at the address below. Checks can be made payable to Lymphoma
Research Foundation.
Together,
we can make a difference! Your contribution is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Marleen
De Kind
3100 N.
Apt 1A