One was shocked by a ticket, the opposite was delighted that she bought the inexperienced mild from her oncologist.
By TJ Banes, IU Well being Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org
Kaitlin Lutes did not know the one who gifted her a “golden ticket” to the Taylor Swift live performance. It was an entire shock coming to her from somebody who realized she was a fan.
Lutes (21) was recognized with lymphoma on July 22. The most cancers began within the lymph system, a part of her immune system that helps battle illness. Within the care of IU Well being’s dr. Michael Robertson, she acquired chemotherapy, and ended up within the hospital at one level when she developed a fever and her white blood cell rely dropped. Throughout these 5 days within the hospital, her hair started to fall out, and she or he relied on the assist of her household and pals.
She additionally leaned on music by certainly one of her favorites – Taylor Swift.
On the primary weekend of November, Swift wrapped up her ultimate US present of the Eras Tour performing to file crowds at Lucas Oil Stadium. Lutes had been within the crowd. Her ticket got here from an nameless donor.
“I do not know who it was, however I simply need to say thanks,” says Lutes, the eldest daughter of Tabitha and Brian Lutes. She was born in Lafayette, Ind., grew up in upstate New York, and finally moved to Spokane, Washington, the place she graduated from Ferris Excessive Faculty in 2022. The household moved again to Indiana in August 2022, a few yr earlier than she acquired her most cancers prognosis.
Attending the Swift live performance was a dream come true. Lute wore a black gown and black boots — a nod to Swift’s “Repute Period.”
“I am doing wonderful since I recovered from my final remedy,” mentioned Lutes. “My well being is enhancing daily and I do know having Taylor’s music by my aspect has helped me get higher.”
Hannah Everson, 23, was additionally among the many estimated 200,000 individuals who attended three Swift concert events. She purchased her tickets lengthy earlier than she turned a affected person at IU Well being Simon Most cancers Middle. After she was recognized with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), attending the live performance was unsure. Her immune system is compromised. AML is a most cancers that impacts the blood and bone marrow. In April, she turned a affected person of IU Well being’s dr. Larry Cripe who focuses on hematology and oncology.
Throughout her hospital keep, her room was embellished with a disco ball hanging within the nook, a string of sunflowers draped round her IV pole, and a candle with the phrase, “She’s a Swiftie.” Footage of the versatile singer-songwriter lined the partitions of Everson’s room.
On her door was a message, “In my BMT Period.”
“I like Taylor. She bought me by means of lots,” Everson mentioned. And by “many,” she means the prognosis and remedy that landed her within the care of IU Well being. Emerson was a typical faculty scholar at IU Bloomington, a member of a sorority who studied human biology on a predetermined monitor. She volunteers at a campus membership referred to as “Royal Encounters”, the place she clothes up as a Disney princess to brighten the day of youngsters who’re sick. She works as a affected person care tech at IU Well being Bloomington and volunteers at a camp for youngsters whose mother and father have been recognized with most cancers.
Then she bought her personal most cancers prognosis.
After a number of rounds of chemotherapy, Everson acquired a stem cell transplant in August and was beneath the care of Dr. Jennifer Schwartz. Afterward, nurses shocked her with a particular customer, “Taylor Swift,” higher identified to her friends as Nurse Payton Knapp.
When she lastly bought the inexperienced mild to attend the live performance, Emerson mentioned she would in all probability cry by means of the opening music. She mentioned it was like a dream come true.
She selected a “Purple Period” gown with matching floral headband. With a giant smile on her face, Everson additionally carried one other trace of Swift’s affect. Round her wrist had been a number of friendship bracelets. One learn: “Who’s afraid of little outdated me? Most cancers ought to be.” One other learn: “Good blood.”
“I wore it as a result of I haven’t got dangerous blood anymore,” Everson mentioned.
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