Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 6, 1992 TAG: 9202060538
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
FRIENDSHIP HELPS 2 TEENS FIGHTING SIMILAR ILLNESS
Six months ago, Melissa Tickle and Brandi Harrison were facing the biggest struggle of their young lives.Nineteen-year-old Tickle, who has chronic meylocytic leukemia, which only a transplant can cure, was searching for a bone marrow donor.
Brandi, 13, was just beginning treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which usually is not fatal but requires months of intensive chemotherapy.
The two met through their fathers, both of whom work at Norfolk Southern's locomotive shop, and through their church, Fort Lewis Baptist. They became friends because of their illness and a mutual interest in sports.
In the summer, when the two were interviewed for a Neighbors story, Tickle was feeling the side effects of her treatments so much that her father, Noah, had to explain that she usually is talkative and bubbly. Brandi was feeling so good that her mother, Sheila, had to remind her she was sick.
But by January, Tickle was feeling better, buoyed by a break in her treatments and by the news that a marrow donor has been found.
Brandi, who is in remission, was supposed to have finished treatment in February or March. But just before Christmas, she spent 47 days in the hospital fighting a fungus that had invaded her spleen. She is now months behind with her treatments and is having a hard time keeping her spirits up.
"She used to deal with the pain pretty well," said her father, Roger Harrison, "but now she just goes to pieces."
Tickle was taken off chemotherapy in December when she became anemic. Although the treatments are part of the cure and she has responded well, the side effects make her ill.
In mid-January, Tickle got the news that a donor has been found. Her transplant is scheduled for March 27 at the University of Washington hospital in Seattle. The donor lives in England and is an almost-perfect genetic match, so there is less chance she will reject his marrow.
Tickle has been taking classes at Virginia Western Community College while she awaits her transplant. Some days, she doesn't feel like getting out of bed, but she has to stay in school to be covered by her father's insurance policy. She wants to transfer the credits to Averette College in Danville, where she was enrolled before her illness was discovered.
Tickle missed some classes last semester, she said, "but I tried as much as I could." Her instructors have been "very understanding" and she hopes to take her exams before she leaves for Seattle. Tickle will stay in the hospital at least until December. If all goes well, she has an 80 percent chance of survival.
Tickle's surgery means the family will be apart for a least a year. Tickle's mother, Blanche, will go with her while her father stays behind to support the family.
The expense of maintaining two households will be added to the medical costs. The transplant alone will cost $250,000, not including testing or medication, which adds up to more than $2,500 each month.
Fund-raising efforts have brought in more than $5,000, which is "not a whole lot, but it's helpful," Noah Tickle said. But more important than the money, he said, is that "it makes you feel so much better to know that people care."
The family's church and friends have raised money and provided emotional support. They've "helped us over the rough spots," Noah Tickle said.
Melissa Tickle tried to call Harrison in January, she said, but Harrison a wasn't feeling well enough to talk.
Harrison is in "fair" condition, her father said. The fungus moved in after treatments drove her blood count too low. The treatments have been cut in half, and the family now has no idea when they'll be finished.
Harrison's emotional condition was good when she went into the hospital in early November, Roger Harrison said, but as the days dragged on staying cheerful became harder.
"She feels like she's missing the best part of her life. She asks me if she will ever get well."
Harrison was coming to the end of a treatment program when she started feeling worse, Roger said. The fungus also may have spread into her liver and kidneys. Her doctors have discussed removing her spleen, but they want try to fight the fungus with medication first.
Harrison spent four weeks on antibiotics and has had to undergo a spinal tap and other painful tests. She came home from the hospital for Christmas, but was sent to the University of Virginia Hospital. She came home in mid-January.
Harrison started to feel better while she was at UVa, her father said, and a relative took her to a women's basketball game. Later, some of the team members came to visit her in the hospital and "she just lit up."
Along with the medical bills, the Harrison family is having to get along on one income. Sheila Harrison stopped working in November to be with Brandi. Two months worth of treatment costs $75,000, and the hospital bill alone was $30,000.
Anyone wanting to help Brandi Harrison should send donations to Sheila Harrison at the Roanoke County School Employees Federal Credit Union, 608 Market St., Salem 24153.
Donations for Melissa Tickle may be sent to Crestar Bank, P.O. Box 2867, Roanoke 24001-9988. They should be designated "for the benefit of Melissa Tickle."