Help Gary Fight Lymphoma!
My brother, Gary, is like most people. He has worked hard all his life to support his family, pay his bills, and support his church. He has worked for the same company for over 34 years. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army. The above photo is of me and Gary last Christmas at my house. The photo bomber in back is my son, Christopher. Those were happier times. Gary is on the right with glasses in the photo.
By April of this year, Gary was having severe pain in his right hip and leg. He thought it was a pulled muscle and/or a pinched nerve. After suffering in pain for several months, he went to the hospital for tests. After many exams, MRI's, and CT scans, doctors told him that he is suffering from cancer, Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma with germinal center Non-Hodgkin's Stage IV. Secondary, malignant neoplasm of bone. This is where the cancer has spread into the bone marrow. He has a hole in his right iliac crest bigger than a grapefruit where the tumor grew out of the bone and is pressing on his nerves, causing him severe pain. He can walk with great difficulty with the help of a cane. At times, he must use a wheelchair. Gary is 57 years old.
Gary underwent his first chemotherapy treatment in late August 2017 using a PICC line. A week later doctors implanted a PORT catheter into his chest to administer the remaining chemo drugs. He is to have 5 more chemo treatments, one every 3 weeks. Doctors have discussed the possibility of a stem cell transplant if the chemo does not work. After all that, his options are very limited. Those of us who love him are of course hoping and praying for a complete cure.
Under doctor's orders, Gary has not been back to work since his diagnosis in July this year. He has a weakened immune system due to the chemo. He is on short-term disability and receives a very small percentage of his former pay, not enough to even cover his basic living expenses. His health insurance supposedly will cover 80% of his medical expenses, having a 20% co-pay. Being in the early stages of this experience, we have no way of knowing exactly what the total costs will be or how much his insurance will in fact cover.
Gary has already had to pay thousands of dollars to cover his deductible, co-pays for the various office visits, echo’s, x-rays and body scans he has undergone. He has not yet received any medical bills or any explanations of benefits from his insurance company. However, he has seen a medical statement that covered just the cost of his first chemo treatment. The total of that one bill, just covering the costs of the medicines/chemicals, injected into him, was approximately $40,000. Multiply that by 6 chemo treatments, and the total will be about $240,000.
By the end of this journey, Gary will have been to countless doctor appointments, will have many tests and body scans, and will incur many incidental medical expenses. We have no idea what a stem cell transplant might cost. I estimate that his total medical bill will be well over a million dollars. So, we are setting a modest fundraising goal of $50,000.
Gary is married. But due to job demands, he lives/works in Middle Tennessee, and his wife lives/works in California. Gary lives alone with his two dogs in a one bedroom apartment. He does not live an extravagant lifestyle.
My only brother is a great guy with a wonderful sense of humor. He is always upbeat and positive. Gary can crack you up with laughter by a funny comment or look. He and I are always exchanging funny things to get a laugh out of each other. Years ago when Nick Nolte had his police booking photo released, Gary sent me a funny photo of himself that gave me a good chuckle. I am attaching that photo below in the hope that it will bring you a good belly laugh.
There is an old saying that God will never give you more than you can handle. Well, I am afraid that Gary has more than he can handle right now. So, please find it in your heart to help someone who deserves it. Thank you and may God bless you!!
