Dear family and friends,
As many of you may have heard, Meho Racic (Brko) has been diagnosed with CMML leukemia, a form of blood cancer. We, his family and friends, are asking for your help in raising funds to support his fight — to help with the costs of insurance, medicine, treatments, medical bills, living expenses, and other unforeseen expenses that may arise.
Meho's Journey
In January, after several weeks of not feeling well and numerous doctor visits, Meho was admitted to the hospital. After extensive testing and a bone marrow biopsy, he was diagnosed with leukemia. Since then, he has been unable to return to work. He was on short-term disability for three months but has had no income since March. Without work benefits, he now has to pay for his own health insurance.
Since his diagnosis, Meho has been in and out of the hospital many times. He has needed frequent blood transfusions — at one point, twice a week — and has undergone over 20 chemotherapy treatments. He has also required platelet infusions and has developed SVT tachycardia, a condition where the heart rate becomes dangerously fast, similar to a heart attack. He will eventually need surgery to correct this.
The Transplant
In July, the family received good news: Meho's son, Amel, is a match for a stem cell transplant. On September 18th, Meho was admitted to the hospital to begin the transplant process. He underwent nine rounds of high-dose chemotherapy, which completely wiped out his immune system.
He received his transplant on September 25th and is now fighting through severe side effects — intense body pain, nausea, and difficulty eating. Until his body begins producing blood cells on its own without medication, he will remain hospitalized for an unknown period. The success of the transplant won't be known for at least 90 days.
Once discharged, Meho will need 24/7 care, and his wife, Jasminka, will take unpaid leave from her job to care for him during recovery.
Sadly, during his hospitalization, he is only allowed visitors from immediate family members. His grandchildren are not able to visit him, which has been especially difficult for him and the entire family.
How You Can Help
Those of you lucky enough to know Meho know that he is a happy, funny, selfless, and hardworking man! Because his recovery timeline is uncertain, we don't know when — or if — he'll be able to return to work.
We hope to ease his financial burden so he can focus on healing and return to the things he loves most: hunting, fishing, and being a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather!
All funds raised will go directly toward medical bills, ongoing treatments, medications, insurance premiums, and living costs while Meho is recovering.
If you're unable to donate, please consider sharing this page to help us spread the word.
Thank you all for your support and generosity.
– Amira Latic
