Antonette's Fight Against Myeloma
Donation protected
My name is Erin Pinegar and I’m writing this letter on behalf of my mom, Antonette Berti. She doesn’t know I’m submitting to “GoFundMe” because she’s self-sufficient, independent and has never asked anyone for monetary help.
Mom’s always been healthy, fun, hard working, has raised Maria, Nicolas and I while working full time and was always willing to help others in need. She and her partner Michael, have helped numerous individuals and families with emotional, physical and financial support for many years. Michael has been fighting Stage 4 Kidney cancer and Stage 3 Kidney disease for the past 10 years and had to retire several years ago due to his health issues. Mom has been his primary caregiver and cheerleader the entire time.
One year ago, life changed dramatically for Mom and Michael when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Multiple Myeloma, a rare blood cancer representing 1 % of all cancers. Myeloma is not curable and almost always recurs. It affects the blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes and can create plasma cell tumors which accumulate in solid parts of bone and occasionally in other organs. Mom’s myeloma did collect in the bone, creating lytic lesions in her lower jaw and cranium.
Since last October, mom had to quit her job in order to begin 6 ½ months of heavy chemotherapy (VRD) treatments. This therapy caused nerve damage in her feet and hands besides other side affects. Unable to achieve remission, it was determined she needed an autologous (self donated) stem cell (bone marrow) transplant in April of this year. The transplant succeeded in knocking out a large percentage of her cancer but still did not achieve remission, so she opted for a 2nd transplant which she just completed last month. The 2 transplants so close together were incredibly difficult to undergo and recovery is painfully slow but with Michael ‘s help, mom remains cheerful and optimistic that this time remission will be achieved. We’ll know the results in mid October, and regardless, at that time she will begin her long-term chemotherapy maintenance regimen.
To make matters worse, mom’s health insurance from 2014 has recently denied all medical claims and cancelled her policy, claiming this was a pre-existing condition. It wasn’t of course, but none-the-less, with no insurance, no income, no SS Disability, she is faced with astronomical medical bills. It’s difficult enough to concentrate on getting well without worrying about how to pay for the medical treatments received.
Mom and Michael have been the recipients of many prayers and emotional support from friends, family and folks they don’t even know across the globe. Words can’t express our gratitude for this and they recognize it has been a blessing and the tipping point in their fight against this disease.
It’s going to be several more months before mom’s immune system recovers, allowing her to return to work. Any help you can offer to ease the burden of the unpaid medical bills would be greatly appreciated and will make a world of difference in her life.
With deep and sincere gratitude,
Erin Pinegar
Mom’s always been healthy, fun, hard working, has raised Maria, Nicolas and I while working full time and was always willing to help others in need. She and her partner Michael, have helped numerous individuals and families with emotional, physical and financial support for many years. Michael has been fighting Stage 4 Kidney cancer and Stage 3 Kidney disease for the past 10 years and had to retire several years ago due to his health issues. Mom has been his primary caregiver and cheerleader the entire time.
One year ago, life changed dramatically for Mom and Michael when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Multiple Myeloma, a rare blood cancer representing 1 % of all cancers. Myeloma is not curable and almost always recurs. It affects the blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes and can create plasma cell tumors which accumulate in solid parts of bone and occasionally in other organs. Mom’s myeloma did collect in the bone, creating lytic lesions in her lower jaw and cranium.
Since last October, mom had to quit her job in order to begin 6 ½ months of heavy chemotherapy (VRD) treatments. This therapy caused nerve damage in her feet and hands besides other side affects. Unable to achieve remission, it was determined she needed an autologous (self donated) stem cell (bone marrow) transplant in April of this year. The transplant succeeded in knocking out a large percentage of her cancer but still did not achieve remission, so she opted for a 2nd transplant which she just completed last month. The 2 transplants so close together were incredibly difficult to undergo and recovery is painfully slow but with Michael ‘s help, mom remains cheerful and optimistic that this time remission will be achieved. We’ll know the results in mid October, and regardless, at that time she will begin her long-term chemotherapy maintenance regimen.
To make matters worse, mom’s health insurance from 2014 has recently denied all medical claims and cancelled her policy, claiming this was a pre-existing condition. It wasn’t of course, but none-the-less, with no insurance, no income, no SS Disability, she is faced with astronomical medical bills. It’s difficult enough to concentrate on getting well without worrying about how to pay for the medical treatments received.
Mom and Michael have been the recipients of many prayers and emotional support from friends, family and folks they don’t even know across the globe. Words can’t express our gratitude for this and they recognize it has been a blessing and the tipping point in their fight against this disease.
It’s going to be several more months before mom’s immune system recovers, allowing her to return to work. Any help you can offer to ease the burden of the unpaid medical bills would be greatly appreciated and will make a world of difference in her life.
With deep and sincere gratitude,
Erin Pinegar
Organizer
Erin Pinegar
Organizer
Las Vegas, NV