Al's Fight to Heal and Restore Life
Donation protected
We are grateful for any contributions to raise funds to help our brother/father/son, Alan Atkinson, pay medical expenses. Alan is fighting a complex collection of illnesses, including bleeding, blood clotting, poly-arthritis, heart, circulation issues, and spine and organ damage.
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ABOUT AL (AN AWESOME BROTHER/FATHER/SON)
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ABOUT AL (AN AWESOME BROTHER/FATHER/SON)
Al has had many successes in life from becoming a champion power lifter, an army officer and wartime soldier during Desert Storm in the medic unit. Finding his bride, and building a home in San Antonio, TX. He became Chief Nuclear Medicine Technologist for a major hospital system in the 4th largest city in the US. Owned his own business, and became an ordained non-denominational Christian Minister/Chaplain in 2000 (a dream of his) and at the same time obtained a Ph.D. in World Religious Philosophy. He has many more dreams for his family, his children and with friends.
In Al's recent words "I cried, because I didn't think this could all happen to a man who ran 93, 10K's (all under 38 minutes), was courted by pro football teams after starting all 4 years in college at St. Thomas; playing both ways my last 2 yrs. of high school; and having the honor of coaching my children until they both were 12 years of age."
"For now I'm taking it one day at a time; I begin multiple tests & surgeries next week; with an extreme lack of strength & endurance. Most everything can be controlled to some extent, but will take time. I feel like a worthless drain on my family & burden to my friends & co-workers. No matter how great I once was at work & at life in general. I never did it for the accolades; I am wholly vested & extremely intent on pursuing excellence & success for my life, for my family, my friends & my co-workers. Sadly, my physicians feel permanent disability is my best course of action."
"I'm ~Improving~:Several ongoing heart, gastro(bleeding), osteo (spine & feet), endocrine (organ shutdowns), open wounds & poly-arthritis issues; leave many more procedures lying ahead; starting with my heart & surgery cauterizing my gastro-esophageal bleed with only 50% chance of working. I have blood clots and screens to catch clot breakage, yet no way to remove the clots. I'm fighting & keeping the faith [God still has the final word]."
"I simply won't give up that easily! God, who controls it all, can change anything "all things" in an instant! I'd rather count on miracles than rollover & die any day!"
Something I know haunts him, but so far he has beaten it: "Doctors told me the same thing in 2010. When so many of my friends & family rose so generously, wonderfully & quickly to help! The exact words of my then lead physician were, "Go home Mr. Atkinson - be with your family - get on disability, you earned it, because unfortunately, you're not going to live very much longer." WRONG!"
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ABOUT AL'S MEDICAL ISSUES
In 2010, Al had 75% of his stomach removed due to irreparable ulcers. He had an extended hospital stay in ICU, struggling with bleeding ulcers, multiple blood transfusions, stomach acid and esophageal sphincter failure, swelling, and blood clots.
He has had a number of hospitalizations and difficult set backs over the past few years and currently Al's condition has again become more critical with the reoccurrence of the conditions above, along with further complications.
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THANKS FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION
If you are inpsired or touched by Al's story and able to help him and his family during this difficult time, your kind donation is appreciated.
With love and gratitude,
Alan Atkinson's Family
In Al's recent words "I cried, because I didn't think this could all happen to a man who ran 93, 10K's (all under 38 minutes), was courted by pro football teams after starting all 4 years in college at St. Thomas; playing both ways my last 2 yrs. of high school; and having the honor of coaching my children until they both were 12 years of age."
"For now I'm taking it one day at a time; I begin multiple tests & surgeries next week; with an extreme lack of strength & endurance. Most everything can be controlled to some extent, but will take time. I feel like a worthless drain on my family & burden to my friends & co-workers. No matter how great I once was at work & at life in general. I never did it for the accolades; I am wholly vested & extremely intent on pursuing excellence & success for my life, for my family, my friends & my co-workers. Sadly, my physicians feel permanent disability is my best course of action."
"I'm ~Improving~:Several ongoing heart, gastro(bleeding), osteo (spine & feet), endocrine (organ shutdowns), open wounds & poly-arthritis issues; leave many more procedures lying ahead; starting with my heart & surgery cauterizing my gastro-esophageal bleed with only 50% chance of working. I have blood clots and screens to catch clot breakage, yet no way to remove the clots. I'm fighting & keeping the faith [God still has the final word]."
"I simply won't give up that easily! God, who controls it all, can change anything "all things" in an instant! I'd rather count on miracles than rollover & die any day!"
Something I know haunts him, but so far he has beaten it: "Doctors told me the same thing in 2010. When so many of my friends & family rose so generously, wonderfully & quickly to help! The exact words of my then lead physician were, "Go home Mr. Atkinson - be with your family - get on disability, you earned it, because unfortunately, you're not going to live very much longer." WRONG!"
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ABOUT AL'S MEDICAL ISSUES
In 2010, Al had 75% of his stomach removed due to irreparable ulcers. He had an extended hospital stay in ICU, struggling with bleeding ulcers, multiple blood transfusions, stomach acid and esophageal sphincter failure, swelling, and blood clots.
He has had a number of hospitalizations and difficult set backs over the past few years and currently Al's condition has again become more critical with the reoccurrence of the conditions above, along with further complications.
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THANKS FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION
If you are inpsired or touched by Al's story and able to help him and his family during this difficult time, your kind donation is appreciated.
With love and gratitude,
Alan Atkinson's Family
Organizer
Sarah Atkinson
Organizer
San Antonio, TX
