Love for Linda
Donation protected
Just a little bit about our mom...
Anyone who knows Linda can't help but fall in love with her. She is a fiercely loyal friend, powerful business person, a badass mountain climber, and the most loving mother we could have wished for. Basically...she's superwoman.
What happened.
Earlier this year, after breaking a rib bending over to put on her ski boot, Linda was misdiagnosed as osteoporotic. She broke several other ribs afterward, once after simply rolling over in bed. At the beginning of June, we noticed that she was experiencing more fatigue than an ultra powerful superhero should, so we went in for some blood tests, which came back with the diagnosis of anemia. Her condition worsened shortly afterward and we were referred to the cancer center an hour and a half away from our sleepy little ski town. The diagnosis came back: stage III, high risk Multiple Myeloma.
What the heck is that?
Multiple Myeloma is an incurable, yet treatable, cancer of the plasma cells. It is staged from I-III, but prognosis is mostly dependent on whether or not the cancer has affected the DNA of the afflicted. In our mom's case, one of the most significant chromosomal changes indicative of a poor prognosis has occurred. This gives her, on average, 3-5 years to live. Having already lost our father to complications from a horrific car accident 12 years ago, we are moving forward with grace and positivity with the knowledge and hope that there will be great medical strides during this time and that we will have our mom around for another 20 years.
What is next?
It's a long road ahead. Our mom has already begun two different types of chemotherapy treatment. After her blood levels indicate that the cancer is in remission, she will need a stem cell transplant. Following the transplant, mom will continue to fight the cancer with indefinite chemo, as well as clinical trials, research studies, and immunotherapy.
Why do we need your help?
The cost of this treatment is exorbitant. Thank God mom is old enough (in body, but not heart!) for Medicare. Unfortunately, Medicare covers just about half of her treatment.
Monthly chemotherapy= $50,000 ($2,000 for a single pill). This is for the duration of her life.
PET Scan (at least 3)= $7,000 each
Bone Marrow Biopsy (at least 3)= $2,000 each
Stem Cell Transplant= $350,000
Physical Therapy= $550 per month
Total Medical Costs for the 1st Year of Treatment = $983,600
This figure does not include income lost due to inevitable time away from work (another one of our mother's most treasured activities), nor does it include travel costs to and from Seattle to see her transplant doctor.
It would be one of the greatest joys of our life to be able to provide our mother with the gift of a financially stress-free experience during the toughest part of this fight. Her light shines so brightly for those who know her; it is impossible to walk away from her unaffected by her stunning beauty, both inside and out. We want to do everything we can to ensure that her light continues to shine for us and those who love her and we gratefully accept any donation that comes her way.
We have also set up a fund through Bald Mountain Rescue Foundation for those who would prefer 100% tax deductible donations and 100% of the money will go for her medical costs. If you choose to donate in this way, please contact us for more information at [email redacted].
Anyone who knows Linda can't help but fall in love with her. She is a fiercely loyal friend, powerful business person, a badass mountain climber, and the most loving mother we could have wished for. Basically...she's superwoman.
What happened.
Earlier this year, after breaking a rib bending over to put on her ski boot, Linda was misdiagnosed as osteoporotic. She broke several other ribs afterward, once after simply rolling over in bed. At the beginning of June, we noticed that she was experiencing more fatigue than an ultra powerful superhero should, so we went in for some blood tests, which came back with the diagnosis of anemia. Her condition worsened shortly afterward and we were referred to the cancer center an hour and a half away from our sleepy little ski town. The diagnosis came back: stage III, high risk Multiple Myeloma.
What the heck is that?
Multiple Myeloma is an incurable, yet treatable, cancer of the plasma cells. It is staged from I-III, but prognosis is mostly dependent on whether or not the cancer has affected the DNA of the afflicted. In our mom's case, one of the most significant chromosomal changes indicative of a poor prognosis has occurred. This gives her, on average, 3-5 years to live. Having already lost our father to complications from a horrific car accident 12 years ago, we are moving forward with grace and positivity with the knowledge and hope that there will be great medical strides during this time and that we will have our mom around for another 20 years.
What is next?
It's a long road ahead. Our mom has already begun two different types of chemotherapy treatment. After her blood levels indicate that the cancer is in remission, she will need a stem cell transplant. Following the transplant, mom will continue to fight the cancer with indefinite chemo, as well as clinical trials, research studies, and immunotherapy.
Why do we need your help?
The cost of this treatment is exorbitant. Thank God mom is old enough (in body, but not heart!) for Medicare. Unfortunately, Medicare covers just about half of her treatment.
Monthly chemotherapy= $50,000 ($2,000 for a single pill). This is for the duration of her life.
PET Scan (at least 3)= $7,000 each
Bone Marrow Biopsy (at least 3)= $2,000 each
Stem Cell Transplant= $350,000
Physical Therapy= $550 per month
Total Medical Costs for the 1st Year of Treatment = $983,600
This figure does not include income lost due to inevitable time away from work (another one of our mother's most treasured activities), nor does it include travel costs to and from Seattle to see her transplant doctor.
It would be one of the greatest joys of our life to be able to provide our mother with the gift of a financially stress-free experience during the toughest part of this fight. Her light shines so brightly for those who know her; it is impossible to walk away from her unaffected by her stunning beauty, both inside and out. We want to do everything we can to ensure that her light continues to shine for us and those who love her and we gratefully accept any donation that comes her way.
We have also set up a fund through Bald Mountain Rescue Foundation for those who would prefer 100% tax deductible donations and 100% of the money will go for her medical costs. If you choose to donate in this way, please contact us for more information at [email redacted].
Organizer
Lauren Quinn Badell
Organizer
Ketchum, ID
