Help Tate Overcome Leukemia (ALL B Cell)

My son, Tate has been diagnosed with ALL B cell Leukemia. It started with a strange virus back in March that caused him to lose 20 pounds in 2 weeks. The hospital told him to go home and let it run its course. It took over a month. By July 1st, he was in horrible pain and couldn’t sleep. He was admitted to Freeman and given 3 MRIs, 4 CT scans, a lumbar puncture, and many other tests. They said he had an autoimmune (don’t know which one) and discharged him after 5 days. He returned to work on light duty but continued to have pain. He went to his primary care doctor 3 times in three weeks. He got Lock Jaw and couldn’t eat. Then, last night he collapsed and said his legs wouldn’t hold him up. We went back to Freeman. They did more x-rays and another MRI and more blood work. Then they said he needed a higher level of care than they could give him. They are sending him by ambulance to St Louis.

While I’m happy that he will be getting the best care, that’s hours away from home. Of course my husband and I want to be with him. That’s gas, food, lodging and lost wage. I don’t even want to think how much a 5 hour ambulance ride will be. He works full time and has bills like everyone. I hate to ask for help but I honestly don’t know what else to do to keep us all afloat for this. Oh… and he’s about to lose his insurance because his dad lost his job. He will be on his own insurance but that means ANOTHER max out of pocket to be met. If you can help my son get through this, we would be forever grateful. He’s only 20 and he’s going to be starting life with HUGE medical bills. Every dollar counts. Please share! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the help and prayers you are already giving.

-These funds are used for gas and maintenance for the vehicles for trips to St. Louis. He goes a minimum of one time per week and it's 600 miles round trip. (gas, oil changes, tires, coils, batteries, belts, catalytic converter, windshield replacement, etc.)

-We are also using it for lodging when the Hope Lodge is not available.

-Living expenses and household bills because Tate has been unable to work for months and Mike can't work because he takes Tate to all of his appointments.

-Medical expenses for things not covered by insurance before medicaid started. (He has a lot of bills from Oklahoma because his insurance decided it was out of network after he had been going there for months and then when Medicaid took over and would have paid, we found out that they don't cover Oklahoma)

-Medical bills from before he was considered disabled. He went to Freeman Hospital Emergency 3 separate times, and had a 6 day stay in the hospital as well as 3 visits to his primary care doctor. Since that was before he was diagnosed, Medicaid won't cover any of those either.

Joplin (Where we live) declined to treat him. We were happy using the Tulsa hospital which is closer than St. Louis, but Medicaid wouldn't cover it. We had no other options. We would rather not drive a minimum of 600 miles per week for months and months, but that is our only choice.

Your help is greatly appreciated. Without the kindness of others, we wouldn't be able to get Tate the best possible care.