Bob Gerngross's Road to Recovery
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Our dad, Bob Gerngross, is a generous, hard working, loving, spiritual, and kick ass Dad, Husband, and Grandpop.
However, in the past two years, he hasn't been able to be the man that he wants to be. One year ago, our father was diagnosed with a deadly, and rare case of Nontuberculosis Myocrobia (NTM).
NTM, a slow-growth bacteria that is typically associated with lung disease, was implanted in his artificial heart valve two years ago when he underwent open heart surgery to correct a birth defect at Penn Presbyterian, one of the top heart hospitals in the world. The bacteria was created by a machine that was used to heat and cool his blood during surgery. Though the surgery itself went well, our dad became increasingly ill over the next 18 months: extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, excessive/fast weight loss (40 pounds in two months), fever, night sweats etc. The doctors had “no answers.”
It wasn't until a news story broke (click for news coverage) about NTM at Penn Presbyterian that the lightbulb went off. A second surgery to replace the first valve allowed the doctors to more concretely confirm this diagnosis. Though the original valve is gone, NTM, which can take months to show itself, is still in dad's blood stream. Our dad is currently under the care of many doctors who oversee his 14 daily medications, heart rehabilitation, and hopeful recovery. Full recovery is uncertain. (Note: the machine has since been recalled).
This diagnosis has left our dad with a range of complications and hospitalizations that have ultimately resulted in his inability to be productive. An engineer by trade and a long-time volunteer Robotics coach, Dad can not physically sustain activity for long periods of time, which has prevented his ability to work or do what he loves. Dad is often struck with weakness, lethargy, shortness of breath, dizziness, and many more side effects that hinder his daily living. Though my sister and I are in our 30s, our dad is also the father of our amazingly spunky, and resilient 7-year old half brother. Dad doesn't have the same energy to give to him as he did two years ago.
Our dad has always been the proud breadwinner of this family. He is the most loving, giving, selfless man—and he never asks for help. Now, he is the one in need. This disease has wiped him out financially, and the government has provided little to help him by way of medical benefits, food stamps, supplemental income, etc. Our extended family has been amazingly generous thus far, but they too have families to care for.
We pray every day that his health will turnaround so he can go back to his old self.
Thank you so much for any act of kindness you are able to give: monotary, PRAYERS, or kind words.
However, in the past two years, he hasn't been able to be the man that he wants to be. One year ago, our father was diagnosed with a deadly, and rare case of Nontuberculosis Myocrobia (NTM).
NTM, a slow-growth bacteria that is typically associated with lung disease, was implanted in his artificial heart valve two years ago when he underwent open heart surgery to correct a birth defect at Penn Presbyterian, one of the top heart hospitals in the world. The bacteria was created by a machine that was used to heat and cool his blood during surgery. Though the surgery itself went well, our dad became increasingly ill over the next 18 months: extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, excessive/fast weight loss (40 pounds in two months), fever, night sweats etc. The doctors had “no answers.”
It wasn't until a news story broke (click for news coverage) about NTM at Penn Presbyterian that the lightbulb went off. A second surgery to replace the first valve allowed the doctors to more concretely confirm this diagnosis. Though the original valve is gone, NTM, which can take months to show itself, is still in dad's blood stream. Our dad is currently under the care of many doctors who oversee his 14 daily medications, heart rehabilitation, and hopeful recovery. Full recovery is uncertain. (Note: the machine has since been recalled).
This diagnosis has left our dad with a range of complications and hospitalizations that have ultimately resulted in his inability to be productive. An engineer by trade and a long-time volunteer Robotics coach, Dad can not physically sustain activity for long periods of time, which has prevented his ability to work or do what he loves. Dad is often struck with weakness, lethargy, shortness of breath, dizziness, and many more side effects that hinder his daily living. Though my sister and I are in our 30s, our dad is also the father of our amazingly spunky, and resilient 7-year old half brother. Dad doesn't have the same energy to give to him as he did two years ago.
Our dad has always been the proud breadwinner of this family. He is the most loving, giving, selfless man—and he never asks for help. Now, he is the one in need. This disease has wiped him out financially, and the government has provided little to help him by way of medical benefits, food stamps, supplemental income, etc. Our extended family has been amazingly generous thus far, but they too have families to care for.
We pray every day that his health will turnaround so he can go back to his old self.
Thank you so much for any act of kindness you are able to give: monotary, PRAYERS, or kind words.
Organiser and beneficiary
Caitlin Gerngross
Organiser
Ambler, PA
Bob GERNGROSS
Beneficiary
