Tabitha’s Story of Resilience, Recovery, and Access to Life-Saving Treatment
As a retired registered nurse, wife, and mother of three, Tabitha Gachiengu spent her career caring for others. But, in December 2017, her world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After years of supporting people through their own health journeys, she suddenly found herself on the other side – facing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Determined to focus on her recovery, Tabitha stepped away from her career to prioritize healing. With treatment behind her, she looked toward the future with hope, ready to begin five years of hormone therapy to help prevent cancer recurrence.
Just as she began to reclaim a sense of normalcy, another unexpected challenge emerged. In 2019, additional testing confirmed that Tabitha had Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) – a second, life-altering diagnosis.
“CML has humbled me [around those] with other health issues. I have more empathy when I meet people with chronic conditions and offer any knowledge or help more often than before.”
Understanding CML
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML),also known as chronic myelogenous leukemia, is a type of cancer that starts in certain blood-forming cells of the bone marrow. The leukemia cells grow and divide, building up in the bone marrow and spilling over into the blood. In time, the cells can also settle in other parts of the body, including the spleen. CML is a slow-growing leukemia, but can change into a fast-growing acute leukemia that’s hard to treat.
Though this type of cancer doesn’t usually present symptoms immediately, it can be detected through a blood test.
Tabitha’s Journey
Following her diagnosis, Tabitha was prescribed life-saving medication that came with a high copay. At first, her doctor’s office and insurance provider were able to help offset the cost, and her condition began to stabilize. Her medical team was pleased with her progress. However, after trying to wean off the CML medication in 2022, immature white blood cells flooded back into her system. It was then that Tabitha learned that CML would be a life-long condition for her. The medication she once hoped to leave behind would now be a lifelong necessity.
In March 2024, Tabitha’s copay assistance was abruptly terminated, leaving her with just a few weeks to scramble for funding before she would have to pay for the medication out of pocket. During this time, her white blood cell count began to climb and she knew she would need to secure assistance another way before her condition worsened.
Tabitha began reaching out to organizations that might be able to help her afford her medication costs. That’s when she contacted Accessia Health. Although the CML program was at capacity at the time, she was placed on the program’s waitlist and she held on to hope for assistance.
Finding Relief with Accessia Health
“May 25th, 2024, is the day I received the letter from Accessia Health, telling me there was an open spot for financial assistance. I had almost given up when the letter came, and to imagine I won’t have to worry about missing [medication] doses again was beyond my imagination.”
With Accessia Health’s support, Tabitha was able to resume her treatment without the overwhelming burden that her healthcare expenses had created. Over the next six months, her recovery continued, and for the first time, she and her husband could turn their focus on enjoying retirement and managing her health with confidence.
For others facing similar challenges, Tabitha offers a heartfelt reminder: take your health needs seriously and surround yourself with those who support you.
“Read about your condition and become fully informed. You are your first line of treatment. If people take your illness lightly, don’t waste time with them. If you find people that have your condition, invest your time in them and share questions and experiences as a means of learning, but do not take their experiences as yours. People experience rare and chronic health conditions uniquely.”
Though Tabitha’s story is unique to her, there are less than 200,00 cases (15% of all cancer diagnoses in adults) of CML reported each year. Due to its rarity, specialty medications are used to treat the condition – which can see high copay costs and difficulty with regular medication intake.
If you or someone you know is living with CML, Accessia Health offers comprehensive support, including case management and financial assistance for your healthcare expenses. Click here to learn more and apply.
The following resources are also available for caregivers and patients: