Brianne's sister Niki has been undergoing treatment for leukemia.
Anyone who knows Brianne knows what a fun, funny, vibrant, wonderful person she is, so even though I've never met her sister, I'm sure she's just as amazing a person.
I was reminded of their ordeal today while prowling around facebook and figured, as a blogger with at least 20 or so regular readers, the least I could do was share her story...
So here goes:
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In April 2012, Niki got married to the man of her dreams.
On November 30, 2012, Niki's life changed forever.
Niki had been sick on and off for months but doctors assured her that nothing was seriously wrong. "Stress," they suggested. "Nothing to worry about." But Niki was persistent. She knew in her heart something wasn't right and on the evening of November 30th her worst fears were confirmed. One by one, she called each of her family members across the country.
"I have leukemia."
There was no time to adjust to the news. The type of leukemia she has, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), is aggressive and spreads quickly. It was already in her lymph nodes, her liver, her spleen. Waiting on treatment could be fatal so she didn't hesitate. In the span of a day, Niki learned she would not be able to have children, that she would lose all of her hair, that she would need a bone marrow transplant or she would not survive.
On December 1st, Niki began intense chemotherapy treatment. She texted her family a picture of herself hooked up to half a dozen machines and IVs. She had two thumbs up and wore a big smile. "Chemo time!" she wrote. "I am ready to kick some butt! :)"
Niki's attitude and her strength have been amazing as she continues to bravely undergo chemotherapy treatment at UW Medicine and outpatient care at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. She has been so brave, in fact, she sometimes has a hard time asking for help. That's where we come in, her friends, her family, friends of her family, and you...internet randoms...
Please consider donating what you can... $10, $25, $100 ... any amount is meaningful.
Send some good out into the universe. Help a fellow human being.
Niki can no longer work and needs around the clock care to survive. Your donation will help pay for the care she needs, for the hospital housing she must now live in, and for the expensive cancer treatment drugs she will likely be on for the rest of her life.
http://www.giveforward.com/niki
If the below picture of Niki's husband Zack surprising her with a shaved head doesn't move you to do something to help...you might not have a soul.
Stay strong Niki, Brianne and fam!!!
http://www.giveforward.com/niki
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