Tom's Lung Transplant

Good Morning,

My name is Thomas Hall and here is my story.

I will try and make it as short as possible but there is a lot to say. I am a 60 yr old male who was diagnosed with and have been taking medication for RA for close to 30 yrs, I have always felt very blessed because it has never affected me to the point that I could not work and try to support my family until this past year. I had a major flare up with it in October 2011 that has affected my lungs! I was hospitalized from Oct 21 - Nov 11 with Doctors trying everything they could think of to get the inflammation to go down and to get my lungs to function properly. While hospitalized lung bi-opsy's were done and sent to John Hopkins in Baltimore Md. Their diagnosis was Rheumatoid Lung! While still in ICU from having bi-opsy I was terminated from my job and of course had to file for SS disability when finally dismissed from Hospital. I was referred to Doctors at Medical University of S.C. in Charleston. After Drs examined me and reviewed Medical records sent from my Drs and the hospital, more test were conducted. After numerous test over the past year the Doctors at MUSC tell me that I have 27% of my right lung and 73% of my left lung functioning and that the diaphragm is paralyzed on the left lung! I am currently on Oxygen 24/7 and am being told that the only hope I have of recovery is going to be a lung transplant! I have spent the last year regaining strength, exercising going to Pulmonary Rehab in order to get strong enough to withstand the transplant and currently under consideration to be listed! (Should happen with-in the next two weeks)

I have been told by MUSC financial dept that while Insurance will cover most of the cost of the transplant itself I will need a minimum of $10,000.00 to cover the first 3 mos of lodging and co-pays on anti-rejection medications! I have no idea how much will be needed after that but it will be substantial as there are all kinds of complications and other issues that the transplant can cause!

After Numerous trips back and forth from my home to MUSC and having to wait approximately 7 months for SS to get started I am in need of whatever help I can get in order to get caught up on past due and current Medical bills, mortgage payments etc. and be able to have the funds for this initial 3 months after the transplant!

Your prayers and financial support will be greatly appreciated!

PS If you are not already an organ donor Please talk with your family Pray about it and consider saving a life by becoming an organ donor.