This is hard for me to do as I’m not used to reaching out to people for help, but we’re in a bind, so here goes… I’ve been with the SDMB since the AOL days, so you don’t need to worry I’m some random spammer, and this has been pre-approved by the mods.
My husband has cancer and it’s unfortunately a weird type of lymphoma that’s failed the first treatment efforts. His best chances for survival are with a stem cell transplant, and there will be many significant costs not covered by insurance. We’ve burned out our savings just to get to this point, and he’s unable to work. We’re still waiting for Social Security disability to engage, but it could be another year or more just to get the appeal hearing scheduled.
It was suggested by a handful of people here that I post the Gofundme page that was created to help defray the costs of treatment and the lost income. All we need is one or two angels with deep pockets or a whole bunch of regular people with some extra money that they can give to a fairly anonymous person in the SDMB community.
Something else that will help that’s entirely free is to amplify the campaign by putting it out to your Facebook contacts, tweeting it out, etc., so it’s seen by more people.
Every little bit counts, right? We don’t have much, but I have reason to understand and appreciate the small donations that add up to something that makes a meaningful difference for a family. My own father fought a rare form of lymphoma back in the dark ages (mid/late seventies,) and I try to keep abreast of the research - I’m so glad that the oncologist has more tools in his kit today. Sending you virtual hugs and good vibes and a little bit of money. (And don’t forget to take care of yourself while you deal with so many other vital, immediate concerns. Really.)
First off… I’m deeply humbled and touched by the almost completely anonymous generosity from the SDMB community. I was on the edge of a deep pit of despair, but you’re restoring my faith in humanity.
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Donated. May I say he has the most glorious eyebrows?
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Is he looking at a stem cell donor or using his own stem cells?
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Sadly, he had great eyebrows. The chemo has reduced them to minor wisps, along with making all of the rest of the hair on his head fall out. Eyebrows, beard, hair…gone. Hopefully, they’ll grow back.
As for the stem cells, the plan is to harvest his own. It’s an interesting process of trying to kill them off with chemo, then when the body is coming out of what’s called the nadir period, hit him with something called colony stimulating factors, which is apparently stem cell fertilizer. The stem cells start jumping out of the bone marrow into circulating blood and are filtered out using something similar to dialysis. Once they have enough stems, he goes in hospital for the super-strong and hopefully last-ever chemo treatment, which is meant to eradicate every last bit of cancer while at the same time, eradicating his immune system. Once recovered from that, they put the stem cells back in, where they go on to start making blood cells and a new immune system.
Looking at that description, it’s hard to believe it’s an accepted thing to do to a person.
I’m so very sorry you’re both going through this. I don’t have much to share these days, but I’ve sent some along and I hope that multiplies a billion fold. I’ll be praying for him.
Sent a little your way, wish I could do more. It comes along with my hopes for the best possible outcomes, and I’d definitely be interested in hearing about how stem cell treatment goes for ya’ll!
or a whole bunch of regular people with some extra money that they can give to a fairly anonymous person in the SDMB community.