Kidney transplant expense

For the first time in my life , I have been encouraged to ask for help in overwhelming expenses related to my kidney transplant. The people at UAB suggest that the first year expense is around $650,000. Much of this will be covered by my good insurance (medical) but as of now we live on fixed Social Security that has trouble covering normal everyday expenses.

 It was discovered last year that I had a progressive kidney disease. My good doctor sent me to UAB for extensive testing and to go on the donor list.

The bad news was that my arteries where so clogged that I was not a good candidate for a long term list. I was told to find a live donor in six months or I may not be a good transplant candidate at all because there would be no place to safely attach a new kidney. We are at the end of this window.

A miracle happened when our dishwasher broke and the hero repair man came to fix it and was touched by my problem and  offered his kidney if it would work. He has a step son that is terminal with diabetes and heart trouble. He wanted to do something and was led to help a stranger.

We are both a match and the transplant is to take place March 21, 2013. Please keep your prayers going because I know this how we have come this far. I thank you for this and any other help you can offer. I don't know at this point how we will keep up with the very expensive follow up medications and more...I do have faith that it is out of my hands and it will be there just like my hero donor!