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In June of 2018, I was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called multiple myeloma. When that happened, I joined the ranks of thousands of Americans diagnosed each year with this form of cancer.
What has since followed has been months of treatment including radiation, chemotherapy, emergency room visits, and hospital admissions and, as of recently confirmation of a transplant that will be taking place at the Methodist Hospital in San Antonio.
As is often the case with cancer, we have encountered a number of medical and financial "scares" that have been burdensome - insurance issues, insurance changes, adaptations needed to our home, I had to quit work due to injuries from cancer, etc.( I am out of work due to 5 compression fractures on my spine caused by my cancer that prevent me from walking at times, bending, kneeling, crouching, and lifting.)
Having just recently finished confirming my transplant, with this there is now a financial burden that we will be dealing with. Over the next couple of months, I will have to have blood drawn and supportive chemo treatments completed each day that require me to stay within a 5 mile radius to the hospital. This will create a marked increase in spending needed for lodging. Because we live 250 miles away, we will be required to stay in a hotel for 4 to 6 weeks post transplant so that my medical team can monitor my recovery and ensure nothing goes wrong. In addition, there are massive dietary restrictions for this initial phase and my inability to eat any food prepared outside our home for the next 12-15 months will increase grocery costs substantially. This is all on top of a number of other changes that have needed to be made to make our home safe for myself in this recovery time.
To be clear: these are just the expenses we know about. Also, depending on the lab work, I may need another trip to Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, requiring more lodging, food, gas, and day to day living expenses.
Even though there is no cure for my cancer right now, this transplant will add years to my life so that I am able to spend with my son, wife, family, and friends. I strongly believe that with the advancement in treatments already developed in recent years, that one day there will be a cure. If you are reading this, you were put in my life at some point that we are friends on face book. I write to you all as a friend, family member, or acquaintance that wants with all his heart to help push back the "havoc" these sorts of things wreck in this world.
Please remember: any support at any level you can offer is greatly appreciated. God Bless you all!
Thanks!
The Cancino Family
What has since followed has been months of treatment including radiation, chemotherapy, emergency room visits, and hospital admissions and, as of recently confirmation of a transplant that will be taking place at the Methodist Hospital in San Antonio.
As is often the case with cancer, we have encountered a number of medical and financial "scares" that have been burdensome - insurance issues, insurance changes, adaptations needed to our home, I had to quit work due to injuries from cancer, etc.( I am out of work due to 5 compression fractures on my spine caused by my cancer that prevent me from walking at times, bending, kneeling, crouching, and lifting.)
Having just recently finished confirming my transplant, with this there is now a financial burden that we will be dealing with. Over the next couple of months, I will have to have blood drawn and supportive chemo treatments completed each day that require me to stay within a 5 mile radius to the hospital. This will create a marked increase in spending needed for lodging. Because we live 250 miles away, we will be required to stay in a hotel for 4 to 6 weeks post transplant so that my medical team can monitor my recovery and ensure nothing goes wrong. In addition, there are massive dietary restrictions for this initial phase and my inability to eat any food prepared outside our home for the next 12-15 months will increase grocery costs substantially. This is all on top of a number of other changes that have needed to be made to make our home safe for myself in this recovery time.
To be clear: these are just the expenses we know about. Also, depending on the lab work, I may need another trip to Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, requiring more lodging, food, gas, and day to day living expenses.
Even though there is no cure for my cancer right now, this transplant will add years to my life so that I am able to spend with my son, wife, family, and friends. I strongly believe that with the advancement in treatments already developed in recent years, that one day there will be a cure. If you are reading this, you were put in my life at some point that we are friends on face book. I write to you all as a friend, family member, or acquaintance that wants with all his heart to help push back the "havoc" these sorts of things wreck in this world.
Please remember: any support at any level you can offer is greatly appreciated. God Bless you all!
Thanks!
The Cancino Family