As I start off today's post I would like to say hello to all our new readers that have been linking in from the Baton Rouge Advocate's website. When we started this blog the intent was to inform Ann's friends and family what was going on with her from day to day, we never imagined we would reach such a wide audience.The reason I'm using a picture of Ann at Jackson Hole, Wyoming in this post is that Ann had no appointments at MDA today. Well, that and honestly it's nice to
remember happier times when words like cancer, chemotherapy and leukemia were foreign to our vocabulary. At least for a few minutes anyway.Ann spent most of the day practicing her knitting and taking pain meds. Meanwhile I was running around MDA trying to take care of a few essentials.
As most of you know we are having problems with our insurance company. They do not want to fund a Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Transplant because they believe that it is an "experimental" procedure and thus is not an allowed benefit. The insurance company was perfectly willing to allow Ann to have a BMT if the source of cells was from an adult donor, but unfortunately because Ann is mixed race no such donor exists. Also the leukemia is expected to relapse in the next few months. So Umbilical Cord Blood, which is quickly available is Ann's last and best chance to be cured.
We have placed our entire faith in the Doctor's and staff at MDA to write and present our review to our insurance company. However the risk to Ann is too great to allow her to be lost in a tug of war between the insurance company seeking to reduce costs, and protect it's share holders and MDA seeking to give her the best care possible.
Today I have established the a Tax-deductible, non-profit medical fund through the National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF). The NTAF is a 501c3 organization in good standing that provides fundraising assistance to people with catastrophic illnesses. Any money donated to the fund can only be used for medical expenses.
Please visit the NTAF Southeast Bone Marrow Transplant Fund in Honor of Ann Gregory and make a donation that will help save Ann's life. Our goal is steep but anything you can give will bring Ann that much closer to a second chance at a beautiful life.
5 comments:
Ann,
I just wanted to let you know that many many prayers are being said for you. I DO believe in miracles and I know you will survive!!! I am spreading the word to all of my family and friends across the U.S. to help find a donor and to help raise money. Hang in there.
Hellooooo Ann! As soon as I heard your news today I immediately went to your blog and read every word. I am speechless. But, thank you for letting me (and all the other people who care about you) keep up with your progress. I will stay in touch and know that I will be praying for you and Chris like crazy! With love, Amy Tolivar
Ann, I went into Harold's today to see you since I have been out of town for 6 weeks; when I did not see you, I asked if I could leave a note. Discreetly, one of the clerks told me your news. Needless to say, I am praying so strongly for you. I told my sister, Anne, and she said to tell you that she is praying and believing with me for your complete healing. Your smile is right in my mind while I am writing this; you are a phenomenal person and you are always SO joyful and happy. Your strength in character will go a long way in this so you KEEP that up. Ann, my sister made it through that awful car accident when her entire right side of body was crushed and she was in a coma with brain injury. She is a living miracle, as stated by her drs....You can and will get through this. Take it, in your mind, one day at a time...just know that you know that you know...See yourself in the palm of God's Hand. I love you and am praying for you. Hang in there and I want to see you back here very soon. Sincerely, Pat McNutt --If this repeats, I am not sure if it went through the first time...
Ann, I went into Harold's today to see you since I have been out of town for 6 weeks; when I did not see you, I asked if I could leave a note. Discreetly, one of the clerks told me your news. Needless to say, I am praying so strongly for you. I told my sister, Anne, and she said to tell you that she is praying and believing with me for your complete healing. Your smile is right in my mind while I am writing this; you are a phenomenal person and you are always SO joyful and happy. Your strength in character will go a long way in this so you KEEP that up. Ann, my sister made it through that awful car accident when her entire right side of body was crushed and she was in a coma with brain injury. She is a living miracle, as stated by her drs....You can and will get through this. Take it, in your mind, one day at a time...just know that you know that you know...See yourself in the palm of God's Hand. I love you and am praying for you. Hang in there and I want to see you back here very soon. Sincerely, Pat McNutt If this repeats, I am not sure that it went through the first time...
:) Good Morning. I just wanted to tell you both hello and I'm thinking about you. I'm so glad to know where you are Ann. If there is anything I can do for either of you, just follow my links to my numbers or email me.
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