Maloney Family

Here is a letter from a recent family we helped! Check out the website djdfighton.org under the families helped section for pictures of the family!

My name is Tiffany Maloney. I am 28 years old. I am the Mother of two beautiful little girls. Bryley is 7 years old. Chloe is 3 years old. I was recently diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL).
I have worked in healthcare since I was 18 years old. I started out as a certified nursing assistant in long term care. After the birth of my second child I knew that I was going to have to further my education in order to give my Girls the life that they deserved. I started a Practical Nursing Program in July 2007. It is an accelerated nursing program designed to give you your diploma in 1 year’s time. I was unable to work since all of my time was dedicated to my studies and my children. We managed to get by with the help of family and government assistance. After the first six months of school, I took my student loan rebate and moved my family into an apartment of our own. I paid for 6 months rent in advance so that we could live comfortably until school was finished. During this time, I also reconciled with my oldest daughter’s father. We were a family again, and everything seemed to be coming together.
In February 2009, I was able to buy my own home, with the help of the USDA Rural Development Program. I was able to give my Girls their own bedrooms and a fenced in yard for them to play in. I also got engaged and was planning a wedding in April 2010. It seemed as if everything was just the way I wanted it. All of the hard work was paying off. And I was getting ahead in life, for once.
All of that came to a crashing halt, just before Christmas. I had been sick off and on since Thanksgiving. The doctors kept treating me for sore throats and ear aches and sinus infections, but I never got well. I was tired all the time. I worked 2nd shift, and I was falling asleep driving home. I knew something was wrong but my doctors were only treating my symptoms. After spending 3 days in bed with a fever of 103, I decided to go to the emergency room. I thought I was dehydrated and would get some fluids and be released. Instead I was informed that I may have some type of Cancer and that I was being admitted to the ICU. I couldn’t even tell my family because I didn’t believe it myself. I just lay there and thought about the words that came out of the doctor’s mouth. Was he serious?
The next day, I was transported to Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute. My Nurse informed me that I had Leukemia. I was very confused and scared. I felt like I was not in control of my life anymore. Everything that I had learned in nursing school had left me. My mind was blank. I was angry because I didn’t feel like I was being given enough information. And, I couldn’t help but think about Christmas which was just a week away.
I decided to take part in a Clinical Research Study for ALL. I figured, if I have to have Cancer, something good may as well come of it. I may be able to help others in the future by taking part now. I started chemotherapy on December 23, 2009. I was released from the hospital on Christmas Eve, and I was able to be home for Christmas with my family, which was great.
After the first few treatments, I became very weak and suffered from debilitating headaches. I was not able to take care of my children or myself, for that matter. I stayed in bed for about 6 weeks; because that is the only way I could get any relief from the pain. During that time, I was contacted by Mindy Dull, of the Fight On Foundation. She told me all about Derek, and the Foundation’s work. I explained to Mindy that (at that time) we were doing okay financially, but that I knew the money would not last forever. She suggested that I send the Foundation a list of our monthly bills. Fight On provided my family with enough money to cover at least 2 months of bills. I held on to it until just recently, when we finally had to use it. It was very comforting to know that we had the money if we needed it. I did not have to worry about my finances. I was able to concentrate on my family and my health, which is exactly what Fight On strives for. I am so grateful for what they have done for my family.
I was inspired my Mindy’s strength. I told her that I wanted to be able to give back one day, and she said, “When you’re well, you’ll be able to”. I went into remission after the first course of treatment, and I started to feel so much better. I began concentrating on how I could make a difference. I have started a fundraising association called Tiger Lily Charities which hosts events to raise money for Leukemia patients. It gives me something to look forward to everyday. It’s in my nature to help others, and it makes me feel better when I can. It’s the best medicine for me!
Thank you Fight On. Thank you Mindy. You’re wonderful people!
With love,
Tiffany Maloney