Help Bill Weber Live with Multiple Myeloma

Bill Weber, my brother, was diagnosed in 2012 with Multiple Myeloma, a rare incurable cancer of the blood plasma cells. For eight years, Bill has endured many treatments including chemotherapy, radiation and a stem cell transplant. All the while, he has continued working and trying to go about his daily life with little complaint and his sense of humor mostly intact.

In late April 2020 Bill had to skip his weekly outpatient infusion treatment due to a low platelet count. On May 1, 2020, his count was high enough to proceed with his infusion. Late in the night on May 2, he began experiencing bleeding from his gums. When that did not stop, he went to the ER on May 3 and was admitted for a platelet infusion, and went home two days later. On May 8, 2020 he went to his infusion treatment only to be told that his platelet count was very low, and he needed to be transported to the hospital by ambulance. This was the start of a two month ordeal.

Bill spent two weeks at Brooklyn Methodist followed by 6 weeks at Mount Sinai in Manhattan, receiving aggressive chemotherapy and two stem cell transplants. He endured this all during the Covid-19 pandemic, unable to have visitors.  Multiple Myeloma often causes significant bone loss, particularly to the spine, and Bill has suffered considerable damage to his thoracic region, which will most likely require invasive surgery in the near future. His spinal compression has caused him to lose height - he was once 5'11" - he is now 5'6".

Bill is now recuperating in Connecticut, living with me and my husband Gary Cooper and our daughter Christy. When he arrived from NYC, he was very weak, having lost considerable weight and muscle tone. He has received physical therapy, at home nursing and has had multiple doctor's visits with his new oncologist, myeloma specialist, neurosurgeon, and primary care physician. 

As you may have guessed, all of this has a heavy financial burden. While insurance pays a portion of these expenses, the patient's portion is considerable, especially for such a lengthy hospitalization.  Bill is unable to work, and has applied for disability. In the best of times, that is a daunting and cumbersome process, taking a minimum of 5 months to complete before receiving benefits. Due to Covid-19, the wait is now longer. Even with insurance coverage, Bill is left with many bills to pay. We have helped him in applying for all the assistance he is eligible for at this time, but there are still many expenses left uncovered. Bills arrive in the mail daily, needing to be paid promptly. Bill is hoping to one day live on his own again, and we are trying to help him be financially and physically able to do that. He is not yet able to manage stairs on his own, and his insurance has not approved further physical therapy. In order for him to be able to achieve any further independence, he will need more assistance sooner rather than later. 

We are reaching out to you, our family and friends, to provide whatever assistance you may be able to, in order to help Bill at this difficult time. We understand that many are having hard times in 2020. Donations of any amount are most gratefully welcome. If you can share this GoFundMe with your family and friends via social media, it is so very appreciated. Every bit helps and we, and Bill, are so very thankful for your support. 

With sincere gratitude, 
Cathy Weber (along with Gary, Christy, and of course, Bill)