Travel expenses for cancer treatment

As you may know, my dad, Larry Martin was diagnosed with stage four B cell lymphoma in May of 2022. The treatment for this aggressive cancer included multiple trips to MD Anderson in Houston, four hours away from my parent's home in Athens, Texas. My dad went through six rounds of experimental chemo over the course of several weeks continuously driving back and forth to Houston and usually staying overnight in a hotel for days/ weeks at a time. In October 2022 he was declared cancer free (that is the picture above, his doctor and him at MD Anderson in the fall of 2022 when his PET scan came back clear).

There have been continuous trips to Houston for bloodwork, tests and procedures along the way. Following a shoulder replacement in the summer of 2023, my dad's LDH markers were over 2000 and we received the news his cancer was back.

This time chemotherapy is not an option and he in the process of having CART-T Cell Therapy , the most expensive diagnostic treatment . My parents have continued to drive back and for to Houston, paying out of pocket for housing, food and gas. Sometimes these stays are 10-15 days at a time.

This month my mom will be "living" in a hotel room in Houston again. At that point my dad will likely be hospitalized for up to 30 days. Before this procedure, they still have to make the trip back and forth to MD Anderson in Houston for other treatments, procedures and for my dad to be monitored.

We are grateful for friends who have stepped in along the way to help at the house, mow the yard, bale hay and tend to cows. We are thankful for your prayers, cards and warm meals.

Many people have asked how they can help, and while my dad is hesitant - he gave me permission to set this up :) - I know many of you want to bless them along the way. So, if you would like to give, your money will go to help cover the cost of gas, hotel stays and out of town dining for my parents as they continue to seek the best possible care for my dad.