Debbie’s Stem Cell Transplant Expenses

This campaign has been started to raise money for medical expenses for Debbie Littles-Hinkle. As many of you know, Debbie is battling Multiple Myeloma and is now in the process of stem cell harvesting for her future stem cell transplant. This disease has no cure and the goal is long-term remission. Debbie & Ron are now at UAMS Myeloma Center and will be there for a minimum of 3-4 weeks. During the harvesting phase, chemo will be pumped into her 24 hours a day for 7-9 days. She will be an outpatient, with daily trips to the hospital and Ron as her caregiver. Once the stem cells are harvested they are frozen until she returns for the transplant. It will be a long and brutal ordeal in every aspect……..physically, emotionally and financially. Many of you are, unfortunately, aware of the exorbitant cost involved in fighting any catastrophic illness. The ongoing and long-term costs are numerous. Lodging, food, travel expenses, medicines and supplies not covered, maintenance drugs, the care of their pets and home and lost income. Debbie is such an incredible Christian woman. She gives and loves with her whole heart and now she needs our help and prayers. I hope you will find it in your heart to assist them financially and help ease their burden.

This officially started in the fall of last year. Debbie started experiencing fatigue, unusual bruising, and bone and muscle pain. She had experienced similar symptoms a few years earlier and sought help. Doctors suspected something was wrong then, but never nailed it down. Her local doctor started doing tests in November and on the 14th he sent her to an oncologist. After the holidays, the oncologist conducted more tests and a diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma was made on January 12th. At that time she was told without intervention and treatment her life expectancy was about two months. Chemo was started and after a few weeks of blowing veins, they successfully got a port placed. Her next battle came when she found out her main chemo medication was not covered by her insurance and the cost was $24,000 a month. Thankfully the pharmaceutical company has approved her for free for 12 months. She will have to be reevaluated yearly to continue this. In February she was rushed to the hospital in pain and it was first determined that her calcium levels were dangerously low. She was then transferred to a hospital in Tulsa, where she underwent surgery for a hernia and a twisted bowel. Chemo treatment resumed, but it was eventually decided that a stem cell transplant was her best option. This is the best treatment to try and achieve remission. After repeated calls to the University of Arkansas Myeloma Center, an appointment was set for evaluation. During the first week of August, multiple tests and procedures were done in preparation for stem cell harvesting. During this testing phase, lesions were discovered on her spine, shoulder and sacrum. Multiple Myeloma is cancer in the blood AND the bone marrow and there is no cure. A stem cell transplant is the best hope for remission. But remission means stable……..not cured. She will also have to quarantine for at least a month after harvesting and three months after the transplant. She has a long hard road ahead of her. Everything about cancer is expensive. Maintenance drugs alone can cost thousands of dollars. Debbie will be on about 8 medications and the cost of one of them is $2000 monthly. But her determination is strong and her faith is endless.

Thank you for your help.