Help Kathy Fight Multiple Myeloma
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For more information or to follow her treatment, please follow Kathy's CaringBridge site!
Eight years ago, Kathy was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (a rare form of bone marrow cancer). She endured nearly a year of treatment, including a bone marrow transplant, before reaching complete remission. She remained in remission for over 7 years, but now her cancer has chosen to show it's ugly face once again.
Due to the success of her initial treatment, Kathy's doctors have decided to use a similar method this time around. She will first complete multiple rounds of chemo, until it is decided that her cancer levels are stable enough for her to begin the second phase of treatment: bone marrow transplant.
The bone marrow (stem cell) transplant will take place in Rochester, MN. It is completed as an 'out-patient' procedure. From her first transplant, we know that it will entail roughly 4 weeks of daily appointments/medical procedures. The process is extremely grueling. With her initial transplant, there were days Kathy would be called back to the hospital to receive fluids/potassium/platelets/blood or other procedures. There were some days she would spend 7+ hours in the hospital. At one point, she was even hospitalized for a number of nights due to illness. Because of the complexity of her treatment, Kathy and her husband (Brian) will need to remain in Rochester for the duration of her transplant.
Therefore, we have decided to set up this account in order to raise money to help Kathy and Brian with finances and medical bills during this time. We have been informed that their insurance does not cover lodging for the transplant, an expense that alone will add up quickly. Also, given that Brian will be Kathy's main caregiver during this time, he will be unable to work which creates an added stress given that he is their sole source of income at this time.
Kathy has already started her first round of chemo (February 2018). It is not yet known when she will be receiving her transplant, as it is dependent on how she responds to chemo.
The physical and emotional burden of dealing with an illness, such as cancer, is difficult enough. Please help us to ease the financial burden for Kathy and Brian, so that they can focus on the most important task at hand, getting Kathy back in remission!
Eight years ago, Kathy was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (a rare form of bone marrow cancer). She endured nearly a year of treatment, including a bone marrow transplant, before reaching complete remission. She remained in remission for over 7 years, but now her cancer has chosen to show it's ugly face once again.
Due to the success of her initial treatment, Kathy's doctors have decided to use a similar method this time around. She will first complete multiple rounds of chemo, until it is decided that her cancer levels are stable enough for her to begin the second phase of treatment: bone marrow transplant.
The bone marrow (stem cell) transplant will take place in Rochester, MN. It is completed as an 'out-patient' procedure. From her first transplant, we know that it will entail roughly 4 weeks of daily appointments/medical procedures. The process is extremely grueling. With her initial transplant, there were days Kathy would be called back to the hospital to receive fluids/potassium/platelets/blood or other procedures. There were some days she would spend 7+ hours in the hospital. At one point, she was even hospitalized for a number of nights due to illness. Because of the complexity of her treatment, Kathy and her husband (Brian) will need to remain in Rochester for the duration of her transplant.
Therefore, we have decided to set up this account in order to raise money to help Kathy and Brian with finances and medical bills during this time. We have been informed that their insurance does not cover lodging for the transplant, an expense that alone will add up quickly. Also, given that Brian will be Kathy's main caregiver during this time, he will be unable to work which creates an added stress given that he is their sole source of income at this time.
Kathy has already started her first round of chemo (February 2018). It is not yet known when she will be receiving her transplant, as it is dependent on how she responds to chemo.
The physical and emotional burden of dealing with an illness, such as cancer, is difficult enough. Please help us to ease the financial burden for Kathy and Brian, so that they can focus on the most important task at hand, getting Kathy back in remission!
Organizer
Erica Thiess Kosmo
Organizer
Eau Claire, WI
