Help Sam Out

Hello all! 

First a history. 

In 2007 I was diagnosed with Non- Hodgkins Lymphoma.  It was a slow progression and with chemotherapy I was in remission.  I had to go back on the bag in 2009, 2012, and 2016.  Since 2017, my 4 month follow-ups with Florida Cancer were good. In July of 2020, elevated levels of cancer cells were detected in my blood, but not enough to set off warning bells.  At the same hospitalization, they found lesions on my spine in several places. 

A biopsy was done and it appeared normal, so a corrective course of antibiotics was prescribed.  A further followup in Feb of 2021 found the levels only slightly higher than July, so we decided that low dose chemo would work, but we could delay until summer.

Unfortunately I was stricken with back and neck pain almost constantly.  My doctor told me it was a combination of being 40, working on my feet all day, and muscle spasms. I was treated for that until it was unbearable to move. 

About Christmas time, I got in for an x-ray and found that my back pain was actually  two broken vertebrae. I was referred to Orthopedic for a consult on next steps. The next day I came in for an initial exam, and have been a patient here at Gulf Coast, since that day, January 8th. Further examination found extensive damage up my spine, and It was immediately determined that the slow progression lymphoma had metastasized to the bone of the spine, as well as several other places throughout the body. One of the places that the lesions showed up was on my skull, roughly where the left eye socket is. This has caused unbearable pressure on my eye, extreme light sensitivity, and damaged vision. This is all hopefully reversible. 

I'm now considered to have Large B Cell Lymphoma at a stage of 4, with stage 3 Bone Cancer. Addressing this suddenly became urgent.

12 hours of surgery and a hell of a lot of titanium later, they sewed me up for now. I'll need at least two more procedures that I am aware of. I also know because of lesion damage and 40 years of use, I'll need a right shoulder replacement after I'm stable enough.

Since surgery I have been receiving both radiation and chemotherapy.  When I'm feeling up to it, I have been using the Physical Therapy team to get back somewhat to normal. I've been able to take some assisted steps, and now a month after surgery, I'm able to use the restroom on my own, as well as sit up in bed for periods. 

Also, due to blood loss from surgery, and continued low white cell count, I have needed 6 units of whole blood and countless units of platelets.  We are in a blood shortage in this country.  Please donate blood today.

Now that we are caught up, here's where I am today. I have months (years) of treatment ahead of me, provided that my body can take the current rounds of chemotherapy. Twice already I have had to have an immediate course correction from the treatment plan. (I crashed (coded) once during the surgery, and my white blood cell count went too below detection on the other occasion) 

I'm considered a patient in critical condition and I’m currently spending my time in the Oncology ICU. My 5 year prognosis isn't great, but I've been dealt bad cards before and I intend to fight as long and hard as I possibly can!

I'll leave the critical unit at Gulf Coast at some point in early March (medically allowing), to be transferred to a Rehabilitation Hospital for a bit to get me up and walking and able to do major life functions that I quite frankly cannot do at this point. Afterwards, it will either be home for outpatient treatment or, if my numbers don't improve, I”ll move to a group home style setting where I can get treatment in house. 

My insurance is actually pretty good (thanks a lot Obama!) and is working with me. There is a TON that isn't covered, but the majority is and I'm thankful for it. Because I have not worked in nearly a year due to pain and fatigue, I actually may for Medicaid, if and when Social Security determines my permanent disability status. That as you know is a waiting process, but I've been told that I was expedited. I hope that I won't worry too much about medical bills if I can get some assistance from them as well.

My real problem, and the reason I'm asking for help today, is that I have burned through my already low savings and am going to need funds to help in the near term for things like:

• Living expenses 

• Utilities 

• Food

• Home maintenance (lawn, cleaning, etc)

• Travel for appointments

• Copays

• Insurance overruns not covered above

• Home repairs to make it safe for me to be there 

• Medical Equipment 

• Home Health Nurses

• Unknown future challenges

I hate to ask, and it is truly not in my nature to do so, but I do know what challenges lay ahead, and I would much rather focus on the medical issues and healing and not the financial ones. This is a tough thing for me to say, but I TRULY NEED YOUR HELP!

Other ways to help besides GoFundMe: 

• Donate Blood! 

• Direct send funds via PayPal, Zelle, Venmo

• Gift cards to Amazon, Walgreens, Publix, Uber, etc…

• My Amazon wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/X1ZLEN4OO1R6?ref_=wl_share

• Postcards or cards with Notes of encouragement!  

• Gifts and treats for my beloved baby Sasha. 

• Calls to chat when I'm able / feeling up to it. (Email first for number)

• Spend time with Sam after he is home

• I need help getting my house to a place where I can be safe and comfortable there.

• Donate Blood!

All above please reference [email redacted] 

Mailing address 

Sam Huber 

4426 SE 10th Ave

Cape Coral, FL 33904

Sasha is transporting my mail almost daily to me here in the hospital!

****SPECIAL NOTE, DUE TO SAM'S VERY PRECARIOUS IMMUNE SYSTEM AND THE ONGOING EPIDEMIC, ONLY VERY FEW  PRESCREENED VISITORS ARE ALLOWED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE EMAIL ABOVE ABOUT ANY UPDATES TO VISIT GUIDELINES****

I love you all, and if you have been following my saga on Facebook,  you will know its been a lot.  I feel I have the right mental attitude that I need (nothing can keep me down for long) and that makes all the difference,  I am told. 

Its hard to ask, but please give if you can. I am and always will be eternally grateful for your friendship, support, and encouragement. 

Love

SAM ❤