Mike's Cancer/Bone MarrowTreatments

My brother-in-law, Mike Farlow,  was diagnosed on May 15, 2017 with multiple myeloma which is cancer of the bone marrow. It started in his back and is eating away at his bones. It caused him to have spontaneous compression fractures in 4 of his vertebrae. It has the potential to weaken all of his bones and cause further breaks not only in his back but also legs, hips etc. without treatment it forms immunoglobulins which clog the kidneys causing renal failure which would make him have to go on dialysis. It also affects the products of the blood, platelets, white and red blood cells which cause anemia, bleeding and increased risk for infection. This cancer is not curable but is treatable with chemo and a bone marrow transplant. The chemo is give in 3 rounds of 3 week periods. He will get it for 2 weeks then have a week off then start again. He will be receiving 3 medications during the chemo treatment. Two of them are in pill form one of which is a steroid and the third is a subcutaneous injection.   The out of pocket cost for the chemo alone is running over $10,000.  After the chemo they let him rest for one month then do a bone marrow transplant. I have no idea what the cost of that will be. I know he has to get additional high dose chemo first to kill off any remaining cancer cells before the transplant can be done. He will have to spend 2-3 weeks in the hospital to monitor his blood counts because he will not have any protection against infection and will have increased risk of bleeding and anemia until the stem cells form new bone marrow.    Mike is in constant pain that even the pain meds don't help that has recently gotten worse making it more difficult for him to walk even using the walker. He is very depressed and just wants to give up. He has become a recluse, not wanting to leave the house.  

Mike has been unable to work since he was diagnosed and unfortunately, his job did not offer any health benefits or leave, so he is currently not getting a pay check.   Also,  my sister, Kim, has had to cut back on her hours and schedule so she can be available to take Mike to his treatments.  This has caused a financial burden on them to cover living expenses as well as all the medical costs which have to be paid up front before the chemo treatment is started. 

Kim and Mike are doing everything they can to handle this situation on their own.   They have applied for grants and financial assistance but have not received approval or support  and cannot wait to start the treatments. 

Mike's first chemo treatment is Monday, 12 Jun 17.  I would really like to raise some funds quickly to help with the current medication cost and chemo treatment.   But the most expensive cost will be when he has the bone marrow transplant in Sep or Oct 17.  

The past month has been a stressful and heart breaking  time for both Kim and Mike and the last thing they wanted to do was ask family and friends for help.  So I am asking for your help and I know they will be appreciate all your love, care, support and prayers. 

Since I don't know all of Kim's friends and co-workers, I would appreciate if you could get the word out that Kim needs your care and support. 

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”
― Maya Angelou