Swaringim's Medical Fund

Our colleague and good friend, Cathi Swaringim, has been married to Karl for 18 years, and together they have a daughter, Korina, age 11.  

Karl recently began exhibiting flu-like symptoms, becoming sicker and sicker as the illness progressed and as flu remedies did nothing to alleviate his symptoms.  Cathi urged him to seek urgent medical care when she was unconvinced his medical condition was improving (and witnessing his condition deteriorate), and when she took him to the urgent-care center, the staff there sent them directly to the emergency room.

From there, Karl spent nearly two weeks being treated in the intensive care unit at Northwest Community Hospital to, quite literally, save his life. Testing there showed that Karl suffers from an extremely rare autoimmune disease called, “Goodpasture Syndrome”. 

For those unfamiliar with Goodpasture Syndrome, here is a little bit of information:

Goodpasture syndrome is a rare but serious autoimmune disease that attacks the lungs and kidneys. The disease occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly produces antibodies against collagen in the lungs and kidneys. Collagen is a protein that helps form connective tissue. Goodpasture syndrome initially causes vague symptoms such as fatigue. But it can rapidly involve the lungs and kidneys. It is almost always fatal if it is not quickly diagnosed and treated.

The first signs of Goodpasture syndrome may include Fatigue; Nausea and vomiting; Difficulty breathing; Pale skin.

Because Goodpasture syndrome may rapidly involve the lungs, initial symptoms such as shortness of breath can quickly progress to a persistent cough, sometimes with blood.

When Goodpasture syndrome affects the kidneys, symptoms may include Blood in the urine; Swelling in the legs; High blood pressure; Burning or difficulty when urinating; Back pain below the ribs; Swelling of the hands and feet. 

Although Goodpasture syndrome may cause life-threatening bleeding in the lungs, it usually does not result in long-term lung damage. The most serious consequence of Goodpasture syndrome is kidney failure, which may require either dialysis or a kidney transplant.

 
Goodpasture Syndrome is almost always fatal if not quickly diagnosed and aggressively treated. Those whose illness is caught early, who receive fast and aggressive treatment, and whose kidneys still function have only a ten percent chance of survival. Karl’s kidneys were already in full failure by the time his illness was diagnosed. His kidney function has only slightly improved with the help of dialysis four times per week, plus chemotherapy; and his lungs have also been affected by this disease. It’s also very possible he could be facing a (dual) kidney transplant. 

 Clearly, this is an aggressive disease that has taken a tremendous toll on Karl’s body and spirit. He is unable to work and help support his family, and chances are he will never be able to go back to his full-time job (and passion!) of being a diesel mechanic.  This will cause a significant hardship for them—and all of this only a few months after Cathi’s own mother passed away after a lengthy illness.

As much as we are praying and hoping that he will be healthy again very soon, we know the reality is that they have a long road ahead of them. Therefore, we have put together this fundraising effort to help defray some of the expenses that they are incurring with his illness and treatment such as loss of income, travel to and from dialysis, meals, medical expenses (copays/deductibles), and care for their young daughter while they are away from home attending to Karl’s medical needs.

Helping starts at home, and our friends need our help. We are a family. Will you help us help her and her family during this most difficult time?