Brent's Battle 2020
Donation protected
May 12, 2020: THE PHONE CALL YOU DON’T WANT TO ANSWER…
“Brent’s Battle” began May 5, when he woke up with some shoulder and chest pain. Brent went to the doctor instead of work to be checked out, and the doctor took some x-rays, plus had routine blood work tests run to rule out a potential heart problem.
GOD IS PURPOSEFUL AND NOTHING IS ROUTINE...
The nurse called May 7, “Heart numbers look good, so doctor thinks it’s associated with your broken neck injury received as a teenager and subsequent arthritis issues. We’ll set you up an appointment with an orthopedic doctor and possible surgery.”
IN OUR WAITING, GOD IS WORKING…
Imagine their shock while visiting Brent’s mother on May 12, when he received a personal phone call from his doctor around 6:30 p.m. Dr. Moore called personally to let Brent know the results of another blood test that had also been run (apparently not a routine test…God’s providence). This test revealed the abnormal protein numbers indicating multiple myeloma blood cancer, and Dr. Moore already had Brent an oncologist appointment in Jackson.
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS FOR THE LORD IS WITH YOU…
The following month, June, included a bone marrow biopsy looking for cancer cells (and finding over 50% of Brent’s marrow cells cancerous), bone survey to scan for holes/lesions (thankfully none indicated yet), and kidney tests (no problems noted yet), and more in depth blood tests that solidified the diagnosis “IgA Kappa Multiple Myeloma” blood cancer, Stage 2 (out of 3).
LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS…
July 2 arrives, and Brent begins chemotherapy to slow down the MM cell growth. MULTIPLE MYELOMA IS NOT CURABLE. It is controllable to a certain degree with chemotherapy and/or a stem cell transplant. Brent’s chemotherapy has included the drugs Revlimid (2 weeks on, 1 week off), Velcade (every Friday), and Zometa (once monthly). They never imagined drugs could cost this much!!
WAYMAKER…
August numbers dropped! September numbers dropped!! THE ABNORMAL M-PROTEIN IS NO LONGER FOUND IN HIS BLOOD!!! Dr. Young contacted University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, to set up a meeting with Dr. Bal, a multiple myeloma specialist. They drive the 5 hours, 274 miles one way, to visit and do more blood tests to confirm the positive change in numbers. Dr. Bal emphasizes, “NOW IS THE TIME FOR THE NEXT BEST PROCEDURE TO EXTEND BRENT’S LIFE – A STEM CELL TRANSPLANT!”
MIRACLE WORKER…
God has laid the stepping stones for this arduous journey to the STEM CELL TRANSPLANT, which they are following as best they can, but it’s EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE, even with insurance. Five hours from home, living in a hotel for several weeks, meal and transportation costs will add up quickly. Our insurance will pay a percentage, but unfortunately our expenses will be higher, which will leave a pretty substantial bill. Once released from the hospital, he must stay home 100 days to rebuild his immune system, which will affect work ability. They also have to return to UAB for follow-up tests in two months. And finally, will probably have to be on a low-dose maintenance drug, Revlimid, for the rest of his life, which can add health problems from side effects.
Would you consider making a donation today and join the army of friends and family that are fighting to win “Brent’s Battle”? Brent is fighting for a quality life, time with his family, time to enjoy his granddaughter and the one that may be born while he’s in the hospital, and we all know LIFE IS PRECIOUS. Thank you!
1 THESSALONIANS 5:11
THEREFORE ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER AND BUILD EACH OTHER UP,
JUST AS IN FACT YOU ARE DOING.
“Brent’s Battle” began May 5, when he woke up with some shoulder and chest pain. Brent went to the doctor instead of work to be checked out, and the doctor took some x-rays, plus had routine blood work tests run to rule out a potential heart problem.
GOD IS PURPOSEFUL AND NOTHING IS ROUTINE...
The nurse called May 7, “Heart numbers look good, so doctor thinks it’s associated with your broken neck injury received as a teenager and subsequent arthritis issues. We’ll set you up an appointment with an orthopedic doctor and possible surgery.”
IN OUR WAITING, GOD IS WORKING…
Imagine their shock while visiting Brent’s mother on May 12, when he received a personal phone call from his doctor around 6:30 p.m. Dr. Moore called personally to let Brent know the results of another blood test that had also been run (apparently not a routine test…God’s providence). This test revealed the abnormal protein numbers indicating multiple myeloma blood cancer, and Dr. Moore already had Brent an oncologist appointment in Jackson.
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS FOR THE LORD IS WITH YOU…
The following month, June, included a bone marrow biopsy looking for cancer cells (and finding over 50% of Brent’s marrow cells cancerous), bone survey to scan for holes/lesions (thankfully none indicated yet), and kidney tests (no problems noted yet), and more in depth blood tests that solidified the diagnosis “IgA Kappa Multiple Myeloma” blood cancer, Stage 2 (out of 3).
LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS…
July 2 arrives, and Brent begins chemotherapy to slow down the MM cell growth. MULTIPLE MYELOMA IS NOT CURABLE. It is controllable to a certain degree with chemotherapy and/or a stem cell transplant. Brent’s chemotherapy has included the drugs Revlimid (2 weeks on, 1 week off), Velcade (every Friday), and Zometa (once monthly). They never imagined drugs could cost this much!!
WAYMAKER…
August numbers dropped! September numbers dropped!! THE ABNORMAL M-PROTEIN IS NO LONGER FOUND IN HIS BLOOD!!! Dr. Young contacted University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, to set up a meeting with Dr. Bal, a multiple myeloma specialist. They drive the 5 hours, 274 miles one way, to visit and do more blood tests to confirm the positive change in numbers. Dr. Bal emphasizes, “NOW IS THE TIME FOR THE NEXT BEST PROCEDURE TO EXTEND BRENT’S LIFE – A STEM CELL TRANSPLANT!”
MIRACLE WORKER…
God has laid the stepping stones for this arduous journey to the STEM CELL TRANSPLANT, which they are following as best they can, but it’s EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE, even with insurance. Five hours from home, living in a hotel for several weeks, meal and transportation costs will add up quickly. Our insurance will pay a percentage, but unfortunately our expenses will be higher, which will leave a pretty substantial bill. Once released from the hospital, he must stay home 100 days to rebuild his immune system, which will affect work ability. They also have to return to UAB for follow-up tests in two months. And finally, will probably have to be on a low-dose maintenance drug, Revlimid, for the rest of his life, which can add health problems from side effects.
Would you consider making a donation today and join the army of friends and family that are fighting to win “Brent’s Battle”? Brent is fighting for a quality life, time with his family, time to enjoy his granddaughter and the one that may be born while he’s in the hospital, and we all know LIFE IS PRECIOUS. Thank you!
1 THESSALONIANS 5:11
THEREFORE ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER AND BUILD EACH OTHER UP,
JUST AS IN FACT YOU ARE DOING.
Organizer and beneficiary
Terri Richardson Goodman
Organizer
Bentonia, MS
Leslie Potter
Beneficiary