Joel Wright's Uninsured Medical Care for...

We've had a lot of visits to this page and we primarily had updated our caring bridge page: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/joelwright

We thought we would put an update on this page, since we do still see some activity.

Joel and I moved permanently to Houston, Texas March, 2011. It was easier this way than for me to fly back and forth to Chicago to work. It was also easier than expecting us to drop everything and fly or drive to Houston whenever Joel had an issue with his health, and every three months to be followed in clinic.

So we've moved here permanently, and I am a RN, and I've gotten a job here.

Joel's health has been okay, with some issues all along the way. In transplant, you are NEVER "out of the woods" per se. We've had episodes of rejection, infection, kidneys being damaged by medicines, and neuropathy in Joel's feet in which his mobility is largely affected.

But we're still keeping our heads above water, and trying to keep a smile on our faces, because we are so very grateful that Joel is still here. A little over a year ago, we were afraid Joel would not survive.

Thank you all for your generous support, donations, and prayers.....it has meant so much.

Jodi & Joel

I am doing very well...this has been a very hectic few weeks. I had transplant clinic on February 22, in which I got some good reports.

First and foremost, my lung function is very stable. The doctors are impressed at how high my lung function is with the one new lung (around 55% give or take).

Second, my white blood cell count is still low, but is continuing to climb very slowly. Thankfully, with being very careful, I have not caught any illnesses.

Finally, unfortunately, my cholesterol has been high two months in a row, and I have been started on a medication to help lower it. This is a combination of some of the meds causing high cholesterol, as well as trying to eat whatever to maintain/gain weight.

My weight is up to 120 pounds. This is huge since I started at 108 pounds. So I'm not too worried about the cholesterol issue.

Lastly, Jodi & I decided that we like Houston. We've always wanted to live somewhere warm, and this fits the bill. Also, we can stay close to the Texas Medical Center for my care. I was going to be released soon to go back to Indiana, but we would need to return to Houston every three months for the next few years. So we decided that it was time to relocate permanently.

Jodi finished her job in Chicago on February 26, and finished up loose ends that week she was there. She will start her new job on March 7 at St. Luke's Episcopal in the Cardiovascular ICU/Recovery Unit.

We moved into our "own" new apartment Thursday, and we love it. It is sparse (no furniture to speak of except a few camp chairs and a bed), but it is ours. We are on the 25th floor and have the most wonderful view of the Texas Medical Center campus and Hermann Park. The cats are adjusting as well.

We want to thank everyone for your continued prayers, and also for the financial support that we have received. Without all of it, we would not have gotten this far.

Please continue to pray for us, as you all know, transplant is an ongoing process, there is never a time we are "out of the woods" so to speak.

Here is our new info, feel free to call or drop a line!!!

Love, Joel & Jodi

5927 Almeda Road, #22513
Houston, Texas 77004
713-393-7035 Home
312-933-6764 Jodi Cell
312-933-6913 Joel Cell
JWrightRN2002@hotmail.com

Check out our latest update on Joel's progress!!