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In 1998, Robin was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent breast cancer surgery and the surgeon discovered that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. She then underwent 3 months of conventional chemotherapy treatments.
To aid in finding a cure for breast cancer, she also participated in a “study” and underwent 3 more months of high dose chemotherapy with an investigational drug (at the time) called Taxol. Since Robin participated in the study, researchers have found that Taxol is very effective in treating breast cancer, but not in the high dose that was given in the study. At the time Robin was taking the Taxol, she began to limp so badly that the oncologist did not allow her to take the last treatment because he said it might cause her to not ever walk again. To this day, without medication, she limps when walking.
After all chemotherapy treatments were finished, Robin had 7 weeks of radiation treatments and took the drug Tamoxifen for 5 years.
All was well….she had survived breast cancer for 6 years! Then, something happened in Oct. 2003.
Robin began to notice unexplained dark bruises on her arms and legs, was short of breath, tired, had a lot of headaches and her gums began to bleed when brushing her teeth. The day she went to her doctor, she was shocked to hear the doctor say that her hemoglobin was so low that she needed a blood transfusion and needed to see an oncologist as soon as possible for fear that she had leukemia.
A bone marrow biopsy was done and Robin was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, (in the stage of Refractory Anemia with Excess Blasts), and was told that most likely it was caused as a result of the chemotherapy (that saved her life in 1998) injuring her bone marrow. The only possiblility of a cure would be a bone marrow transplant….or one of God’s miracles. Please read more about this disease by going to this website:
Robin’s only sibling, (her brother, Daniel), was not a perfect match to be a bone marrow donor. (There is only a 25% chance that a sibling will ever be a match.) Therefore, MD ANDERSON HOSPITAL in Houston, Texas has begun a donor search. It can take many, many months to find a suitable donor match and the bone marrow transplant is very risky with a Matched Unrelated Donor.
While waiting for a donor to be found, Robin was offered the chance to participate in a study with a chemotherapy drug called Decitabine. It was considered to be a 50% chance that she would respond to the drug. Thankfully, Robin responded beyond her doctor's expectations. She considers this to be an absolute miracle from God. The Decitabine lowered her blast counts and her blood counts became more stable. She went into complete remission after 11 months but had to continue the chemo treatments to keep her body in remission.
To participate in the above study, Robin had to travel from South Carolina to Houston, Texas. She rented an apartment in Houston, near MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER for the first month that she began the Decitabine treatment and returned to Houston every 5 weeks for 5 days each of more chemotherapy for over 3 years. When the drug was approved by the FDA, she was able to continue these treatments at Cancer Center Of The Carolinas, near her home. Read more about this treatment here:
Unfortunately, Robin had a relapse in Oct. of last year (2006) Her doctor's told her the disease is progressing rapidly and she needs to go ahead with the transplant.Even though there are over 6 million donors registered with the NMDP, a perfect match has yet to be found for Robin. To date, she only has an unmatched, unrelated donor....a very risky transplant...still, the only chance for a cure.
If you would consider being tested to be a donor, please click on this link to see how:
Through May 21, 2007 you can receive a FREE donor test kit at the above link!
Needless to say, all of this has, and will continue to, require a great deal of expense, even with insurance. Robin has been a devoted single mom for over 14 years now. She had to quit a job that she loved and has been on disability for more than 2 years. Income from that comes nowhere near meeting the expenses involved.
With this disease come overwhelming financial strains that Robin and her family are unable to meet. This is why we are turning to others for help. Many future bills and expenses are eminent. Included are:
- Expenses associated travel, accomodations and hospital services to receive the experimental Decitabine treatment at MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER in Houston, Texas (beginning in Feb. ’04), not covered by health insurance were a minimum of $19,700 during the first 8 months of '04 and have continued to steadily rise going into 2007. In addition,Robin must pay over $900.00 every month for a high risk Medicare supplemental insurance policy, prescription drug card and her part of Medicare. Huge deductibles and out of pocket expenses make it impossible for her to manage without help from others.
- Expenses associated with a bone marrow transplant that will not be covered by insurance will be a bare minimum of $23,200....and over $500,000.00 if Medicare will not pay...(read about that situation here, under "Nov. Update")
UPDATES Oct. 31, 2006 - June 26, 2007
We would love it more than anything in the world if you could help out in any way. Any contribution, large or small, that you can make would be appreciated more than any words could express. We remain positive that, with your help, we can find light in this tragedy.
This is the fight for Robin's life….will you please help?
Thank you for your prayers, donations and encouragement,
Feel free to contact Robin at fightforherlife@earthlink.net for further information.
Robin Whittemore's Fight For Her Life...
Please read her story below to see how you can help.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome can only be cured by having an expensive and very risky bone marrow transplant or a miracle from God
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If you have an over abundance of sky miles...please consider providing an airline ticket for Robin or caregiver to travel to Texas for transplant. E-mail Robin
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Mother's Day Weekend
Bone Marrow Drive
Sat. May 13, 2006
Palmetto Health Baptist Easley
200 Fleetwood Dr.
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Pickens County Bone Marrow Drive Group to hold Free donor drive at Palmetto Health Baptist Easley on Thursday May 17, 2007 from 2pm - 8pm. Receive a FREE test kit on line through May 21, '07 at www.marrow.org!
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Robin'sLatest Updates
"I was told numerous times that when one donates marrow, his or her outlook on life often changes for the better, and I wholeheartedly agree. I now can see the wonderful miracles and happenings of God in everything and everybody around me. From one simple operation that saved someone’s life through the technology of modern medicine, I have a newfound understanding and outlook on life, for which I am forever grateful." Sarah Bryant
Donations can be mailed to:
Robin Whittemore Medical Expense Account
Carolina First Bank
5041 Calhoun Memorial Highway
Easley, SC 29640
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Pickens County Bone Marrow Drive Group holds drive at Clemson University on Nov. 13 - 17, 2006. What a success! 836 Clemson students were tested to become donors!
