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Steve's Medical Fund

Aloha, my name is Nikki and I am writing about my husband Steven Tui and to share our story with you.

In late May  2016, Steve went to his doctor for a lingering shoulder pain. (Which he could not remember excatly how he had injured.) An x-ray confirmed it was a broken clavicle. However, there was an abnormal growth around the break. So after weeks of tests, scans, MRI's and a biopsy, on the 7th of July  he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeoloma.

Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer related to lymphoma and leukemia.  Also known as plasma cell myeloma, it is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell normally responsible for producing antibodies. In multiple myeloma, the infected plasma cell multiplies unusually. The plasma cells crowd normal blood cells in the bone, as they release chemicals to dissolve the bone allowing these abnormal cells to break through and making them weak. (This explains the clavicle breaking easily).

After being diagnosed, we did a full body scan to determine the extent of the cancer. The results showed that the cancer was in his skull, spine, chest, ribs, arms and legs. Steve is diagnosed as Stage 2.

Multiple meyloma is treatable, although he wont be able to rid himself of the cancer, we can keep it in control. His treatment will involve chemotherapy (unknown amount of cycles) followed by a bone marrow transplant that can only be performed at a mainland facility. (Stem cell treatment - no donor needed) Which leads me to why I'm sharing our story.

The bone marrow transplant procedure is covered by our insurance, at least 80% of it ishowever, it does not cover transportation or housing which involves at least 2 seperate trips to the mainland. This procedure can take anwhere from 2 weeks to 2 months depending on Steve's recovery.

I cannot put into words how catastophic the news was to me and our family. To hear that a loved one has cancer is devastating on its own, but it was heartbreaking to hear how widespread Steve's cancer was. 

As a wife it is so hard to watch someone that has been by your side for 31 years suffer with this illness. Steve has been a constant light in my life. We raised 2 awesome sons, layed to rest both his parents (lost his mom to cancer in 2009). He has worked everyday since we got pregnant at age 17. To watch him suffering through the pain and not being able to do anything but make him comfortable is a feat on it's own. BUT through it all Steven has remained optomistic even though he hasn't been able to work since early June because of the extreme pain in his upper chest and ribs. I know in my heart of hearts that Steve and I have many more years to look forward too. We will get through this.

I humbly ask if there is anything you can give weather it be money, prayers, words of strength or love will be much appreciated. All monetary donations received will go towards Steve's treatment, and medical bills.

Thank you so much for your paitience and time.
God bless!

Organizer

Neichelle Tui
Organizer
Honolulu, HI

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