The DeCosta Family
My name is Sean Michael DeCosta and I have Multiple Myeloma. Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.
I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the immune system in June the week of my daughters 1st birthday. They told us that I would only have 7 to 10 years to live. This was the most frightening day of my life. I was thinking I've only been married four years: I love my wife and children.. I don't want to die:. For the first couple of hours that's all I could think about. My thoughts quickly changed to more positive thoughts like; I am determined to walk my daughter down the aisle when she gets married. I began to lean on my faith in Jesus. My faith has brought me through all of the tough times in my life and this will be no different just harder. My body has reacted really well to chemotherapy and the doctors say I'm ready for a stem cell transplant. Fear of the unknown is always hard to deal with and we have medical and financial uncertainties, two of most frightening. We are leaning on our faith, family and friends to help us get through this journey.
My beautiful, loving wife Melissa DeCosta has also written a short post that I would like to share with you as well:
It was the most devastating day of my life: I was told that my husband and the father of my children would have 7 to 10 years to live. The thought of my children losing their father was the worst feeling ever. How would I tell them if the worst came to pass: how would this affect them for the rest of their little lives. How would I handle losing my best friend:. My world: I tried so hard to fight back the tears but there was no way to be strong. The only thing I could do is hit my knees and pray. I didn't understand why or how: High risk for Multiple Myeloma is typically found in men ages 60 and over and within the African American heritage. My husband is an otherwise healthy 41 year old Hawaiian man. There were just so many different feelings that I couldn't understand. I prayed for a healing and for understanding and peace. It was what I thought would be the longest two weeks of our lives in the hospital but now realize that our journey was just about to begin. Sean was strong for all of us. Putting on a happy face as much as he could and I tried to show no cause for alarm on the home front. I wanted to make every minute our time together memorable.. but the bills started stacking up and my worries were just getting worse. We were just getting by as it was and with the new Chemotherapy, medications and doctors' appointments we are getting more and more behind every day. I pray that some of that burden would be lifted so I could focus on what is so much more important. -Melissa DeCosta
During these tuff economic times, it's been a challenge for me and my family to get by. Now that I've been diagnosed and have begun treatments for my cancer, things have gotten worse financially. As I prepare to undergo my stem cell transplant, my wife, family, and friends are trying to raise enough money to help supplement for all the little things that are not covered by our medical insurance.
Things like transportation to and from the hospital for doctor visits. We live in Palmdale, California and the doctors office is 80 miles away. Since I do not live outside the 100 mile threshold before insurance will not cover us, transportation back and forth is costing a lot of money.
With my wife at work and with me at doctor visits (and in the hospital in the next few weeks), the cost of day care is also going to become more of an issue due to the need for extended hour care.
Additionally, once I am given my last chemotherapy before I undergo the transplant, i will need to stay in a hospice clean environment prior to being admitted. The last chemo will essentially destroy my immune system prior to the transplant taking place. Any risk for infection, catching a cold, virus or bacterial, will be extremely risky. The doctor is indicating that this will probably be for one week. This additional cost of $120 a day is not covered by my insurance.
Once I am released from the hospital after the transplant, I will need to go back to the hospice for an additional two weeks to be close to the hospital for daily monitoring, as well as continue to live in "Clean" environment due to the susceptibility of any common virus or bacterial infection risks post procedure.
Our goal with gofundme.com is to raise money for these items and not take a penny more than we need. I am blessed with wonderful family and friends who have already given here and there. Now that my procedure is to be scheduled in the next few weeks, we are looking for your prayers and any assistance you can offer.
My wife, my brother, and my mother in law will all be posting and updating you with my progress. Throughout this journey, we will keep everyone posted on this site, as well as through our personal facebook accounts.
God Bless, and thank you for visiting my page regardless of your ability to donate or not.
Sean M. DeCosta
