In spite of the challenges, Allen is remarkably upbeat. She said her children, 7-year-old twins Brendan and Madelyn, are her motivation to fight.
“I want to make those weddings, and you know, all of the fun stuff in their lives,” said Allen.
Allen said the twins have been real troopers when it comes to handling her illness.
“They just know that mom has bad blood,” said Allen. “When I ask them, ‘How are you doing with it? Momma’s going to be fine.’ They’ll just say ‘It’s OK Momma, your hair will grow back. It’ll be fine.’ And I think that’s what’s really kept me going.”
When Allen initially began suffering swelling and pain in her legs and ankles, she said doctors thought it might be a stress fracture. Then a blood test suggested something far more serious.
“They did a bone marrow biopsy and said ‘It’s been confirmed you have leukemia,’” said Allen.
Allen said, at first, she was stunned and devastated.
“That was my first thought: How much longer do I have? And after the doctors said ‘There is a cure, don’t worry about it, we can fight this,’” said Allen.
Months of chemotherapy put Allen in remission, but in June, she relapsed. She did more chemotherapy this summer but — “they told me ever since the beginning that my cure is going to be to have a bone marrow transplant,” said Allen.
Allen’s brother wasn’t a match, so now she’s searching for the stranger who might be.
“I do have my days when I think, ‘God, just let somebody come forward. Just let that one person that I know will be good for, if not me, for somebody else. Because it just takes that one person,” said Allen.
Allen said she hopes that person will take the time to join the bone marrow registry. And what would she say to them?
“What a thing to really give someone else the opportunity for a second chance at life,” said Allen. “It’s a future for me. And it’s a future for me to share that with my kids and my family. I would say to them ‘Thank you.’”
Allen’s family and friends are holding two events where the public can join the bone marrow registry. In order to join, you must be between the ages of 18 and 60 and meet certain health guidelines. A cheek swab is all that is required. If you are a match for someone, experts say the donation process is as painless as donating blood.
St. Kieran’s Catholic Church 53600 Mound Road Shelby Township, Mich. 48316
Similar Posts:
- Local Mother Rallies Community To Save Daughter’s Life
- Researchers Test Pancreatic Cancer Vaccine
- Families To Hold Fundraiser For Rare Blood Disease
- Johnriel Casimero Boxing Win vs Lazarte in Argentina Marred by Shameful Riot
- Doctors Discover Safety Pin In Girl’s Sinus Cavity
