I have been diagnosed with Stage 3 Multiple myeloma

[beepbeep]

I'm sorry to hear what you've been going through, Chris. I can't imagine what you are feeling, physically and emotionally.

I know that everything helps, but financially speaking, what are you looking at? You said that chemo is $8,000/mo, and the marrow transplant is around $200,000.. How many months of chemo are your doctors thinking you need? If someone could write you a check for $XXX,XXX, what would that amount be to cover it all? (or at least the majority of it)

He is scheduled for 12 weeks of Chemo with the transplant to follow right after if we have the money/financing for it. I'll have to double check, but he gets Chemo for 2 weeks, then he's off a week, then Chemo 2 weeks, then off a week---so I'm not sure if the 12 weeks is ONLY considering the Chemo time or if it's 12 consecutive weeks, including his week's off. I'll have to ask tomorrow.
IF the transplant works, then he will just be monitored from there on out unless he comes out of remission. If the stem cell transplant fails, they will either recommend a bone marrow donor transplant or just keep him on Chemo (keeping him on Chemo is also the plan if we don't have the money for the transplant).
So...........total $ is hard to say.....I'd roughly figure $250K including the stem cell transplant once (and I'm including the dr visits, prescriptions, any additional hospital visits that could come up). I rounded high. As of right now, we've raised $4,500. We're working on getting the extra vehicles listed to sell those (Wagoneer, Short Bus). I'm also working on some fund-raisers as well as still applying for anything we qualify for from all of the cancer programs. It's honestly been very intimidating to try and tackle it all, but we're just plugging away, form after form.
Hope that answers your question.
Today he's been pretty stationary in the recliner. His back and his right kidney are causing him a lot of pain today. Hopefully, tomorrow we will learn a little more of how to treat his kidney issue (which may or may not be stones).

[SilverBullet]

Yes, that does, thanks! I have an acquantance that I know helps out monetarily in a big way in these sort of situations. I will see what I can do.

[2fnloud]

Vicki,

I do not want to sound trite, But I once heard "How do you eat an elephant?.......One bite at a time."

I can only imagine how overwhelmed this must have you both. When it all comes at you at once, try to adapt "W.I.N."

What's
Important
Next

It has been encouraging to read the positives that Chris has been blessed with despite the setbacks.

[vr4chick]

How does one acquire financing for something like this?

[beepbeep]

Vicki,

I do not want to sound trite, But I once heard "How do you eat an elephant?.......One bite at a time."

I can only imagine how overwhelmed this must have you both. When it all comes at you at once, try to adapt "W.I.N."

What's
Important
Next

It has been encouraging to read the positives that Chris has been blessed with despite the setbacks.

Thanks. We do have to keep the perspective where it needs to be. Hard to do at times. The fact that he is already positively responding to the Chemo is incredible. We try to hold onto that while we forge ahead.

How does one acquire financing for something like this?

Traditional "financing" one wouldn't. I was referring to any state or government programs that we could qualify for...and because we don't have kids, it means we don't qualify for the majority of them....doesn't mean we won't try anyway. I suppose "coverage" would have been more appropriate terminology.

[Granny]

.
Traditional "financing" one wouldn't. I was referring to any state or government programs that we could qualify for...and because we don't have kids, it means we don't qualify for the majority of them....doesn't mean we won't try anyway. I suppose "coverage" would have been more appropriate terminology.

Kids! Good lord woman why didn't you just say so. I have plenty of those. What would would you like?
I'm pretty limited to boys but I have a selection of blonds and 1 red head you can choose from.

If there were any big miracles in my future I'm passing it along to you. Let's hope I was going to win the lottery or something.

[beepbeep]

Kids! Good lord woman why didn't you just say so. I have plenty of those. What would would you like?
I'm pretty limited to boys but I have a selection of blonds and 1 red head you can choose from.

If there were any big miracles in my future I'm passing it along to you. Let's hope I was going to win the lottery or something.

LOL...I asked my niece if I could borrow her little boy for a while....And I don't believe in miracles---I rely on them!!! <3 Off to Chemo.

[beepbeep]

Yes, that does, thanks! I have an acquantance that I know helps out monetarily in a big way in these sort of situations. I will see what I can do.

Just knowing there is someone out there who can do things like this warms my heart, even if they can't help us. Thank you for thinking enough of us to even consider it.

[SilverBullet]

I don't know if this has been asked yet, but does Chris have life insurance? A lot of times, in a case like his, you can use part if not all of the death benefit to help pay for medical bills.

[Mikes2nd]

there are insurance policies you can start pulling from ahead of time if you have serious illness.

Who knows if they actually work but they "say" you can use them...