Dr. King...Father...Principal

This week I was informed that my son and wife's principal, Rhett King, was diagnosed with cancer.  Their home was flooded and as clean up was taking place, he thought that he had thrown out his back (again) trying to get the cleanup started.  This prompted the trip to the doctor.  (Full story below from his wife)

I am putting this together for their family.  The oldest son attends high school with my oldest son, and their younger son is in my wife's class at the middle school where his dad is principal.  I will continue to post updates as they are passed along.  Thank you so much in advance and please continue reading to learn about this incredible family and the journey that they are about to embark on.

November 13, 2018
Today it was officially confirmed that Rhett has Stage 3A Multiple Myeloma.  However, by International Staging, he is Stage 1 out of 3 (ISS and R-ISS).  Rhett has 30% plasmacytomas (PC's) and multiple compression fractures and bone lesions and has deletion 13q and a 14 rearrangement, but also no high risk chromosomes.
 
Rhett’s Oncologist has referred Rhett to a surgeon for consideration of vertebroplasty (filling of areas where vertebrae has collapsed or is almost non-existent).  This will be done either before beginning chemotherapy or during an "off week."  Rhett also has a PET scan this Friday, November 16th at 12:30 p.m.  Prayers appreciated for him during this time.
 
Chemotherapy cycle #1 will start next Tuesday, the 20th...yes the week of Thanksgiving.  His chemotherapy regimen will be 2 pills and one injection.  Rhett will also take medication to prevent clots and another medication to prevent shingles.  He will have IV therapy on 11/20/18 and then once monthly for the first 3-6 months before moving to every 3 months, due to his significant compression fractures.
 
So far, we have chemo scheduled for 11/20, 11/24, 11/27 and 11/30.
 
Once Rhett is in remission, then the process will begin for gathering stem cells for stem cell transplantation.  That process will most likely put him completely out of commission for 2-3 months.
 
Prayer Requests:
 
Financial - we found out today that one of Rhett's medicines, Revlimid, is $10,000 for one pill (without insurance).  We have no idea what our part will be, but I am sure it will not be cheap at all.  Best case scenario would be 20% out of pocket, which would be $2,000 per pill.  That is just for that one medicine.  So obviously, we need prayers, prayers, prayers, for our finances right now.
 
Our House - We have paid our first installment for work to begin on our house that flooded about a month ago due to a faulty washing machine.  Tomorrow the project manager is coming by with a floor guy and a paint guy to access what needs to be done.  Please pray that this entire process will be seamless and easy to manage.  I (Lisa) will likely be in charge of the process.  The project manager is an amazing Christian man, who already told us that we have been put on his men's prayer breakfast list for every Tuesday.  We are hoping they can do some other projects that Rhett was planning on doing this fall and that are stacking up (painting, installing exhaust fan in bathroom, installing shelving in laundry room, installing hot water heater), but because of chemo and finances, we may have to hold off on those right now.
 
Physical - I (Lisa) am feeling very run down.  I have been treated for bronchitis, allergies, etc., but still feel run down.  Please pray for healing from this and for the emotional and physical energy that I need to run our house, keep working, help Rhett with treatment, etc.
 
Boys - To keep clarity of thought and that they can still perform well in school and not be burdened with issues that they cannot control right now.

Rhett and Lisa King