Please consider donating in Alex s name to Oregon Health Science University and registering to be a bone marrow donor with Be The Match. If donating to OHSU select the “Tribute Gifts” check box, select “In Memory of”, then fill in “Alex Mills” below on the form.
We, his family, have coordinated with OHSU (Oregon Health and Science University) to create a web page for people to make donations in Alex’s name. The donations will go to the Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. This program provided Alex with the majority of his care. The medical [ ]
Alex expressed a wish to have people sign up for Be The Match Registry. Signing up means volunteering to be listed as a potential blood stem cell donor, ready to save the life of any patient in need of a transplant. It s really easy. It would mean a lot to him and us if you [ ]
Alex was with his family when he passed peacefully earlier today, Wednesday, February 27th. We would like to thank everyone across the globe for their love and support. It meant a lot to us and Alex to hear from so many people. He really enjoyed reading all of the comments, letters, and cards. We re so [ ]
Despite my best efforts over the past two and a half years, the leukemia has won. Due to liver inflammation and GvHD, the liver is too damaged to continue with treatment and there are no further options. I don t want to spend the rest of my time in the hospital so I am choosing to remain [ ]
Lots to report on today. Some of it is pretty bad. Back on January 24th, I got a bone marrow biopsy in order to more accurately determine the amount of leukemia present in me. The blood test I normally get is a genetic one and trends behind the actual bone marrow. The blood test had [ ]
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Just a quick update on my cancer saga since it s been over a month since my last update. My liver continues to be agitated due to my donor immune system attacking it (graft-versus-host disease). As a result, I m on steroids to suppress my immune system a bit. However as the infusion I was going to [ ]
Whelp, my latest Bcr-Abl blood test came back slightly positive for leukemia again. This means at least another round of the 28 day infusion of specialized medication that makes me feel like absolute crap. Hopefully I m able to continue to work despite the fatigue. I also had an appointment with my opthoneurologist (eye doctor) on [ ]
Last Thursday, October 18th, marked the two year anniversary of my leukemia diagnosis. While I m finally clear of cancer , I certainly didn t expect it to take this long. But it s also weird because it hasn t seemed that long. My whole life was put on pause and I moved in with my mom. I haven t [ ]
Last week I was told the great news that I m once again cancer free! This marks the third time I ve heard this news after my initial diagnosis and then my relapse. The Blinatumomab did its job after two 28 day home infusions, but it made me feel absolutely horrible in the process. Extreme fatigue, nausea, [ ]
Today marked the completion of my 34th trip around the sun. I spent the day at home due to fatigue and just generally not feeling great due to this latest IV medication I m on. One of my sisters was able to make it down from near Seattle though which was a cool surprise! Here s hoping [ ]
I really can t catch a break, can I? My latest BCR-ABL blood test that detects my cancer s genetic mutation came back ever so slightly positive (like 0.01%). This isn t a relapse but rather just some pesky cancer cells that refuse to take a hint. To treat this, I will be taking a very specialized drug [ ]
Unfortunately my bad luck and health complications continue. Last week was a roller coaster of events. My ommaya reservoir, used to access my spinal fluid for samples and chemo, clogged because of frequent use and it being installed ever so slightly in the wrong place. So on Monday, they opened my scalp back up and [ ]
I had a followup with my neuro-ophthalmologist yesterday to see how my vision was improving after the issues I started having last month. I ve tried to be optimistic and stay positive since first getting sick, but this was a tough one. While the blurriness has lessened significantly, from an estimated 20/400 to 20/40, I still [ ]