Breath of Life
Donation protected
We are members of a men’s Bible study group at First Christian Church of Venice, Florida. There are about two dozen of us give or take, who assemble each Saturday morning to study God’s word in Christian fellowship.
One of these brothers-in-Christ, Jon Priestap has been suffering from significant health challenges for the past several years. Jon is a good and brave man, a child of God who is well-loved and respected by his peers. His medical expense co-pays have taken a toll on his finances adding even more stress to his condition.
He now needs another surgery which his insurance will not fully cover and that he cannot afford. Our Bible study group is helping as best we can. However, what Jon requires is beyond our means. Because of our love and respect for Jon, we have decided to reach out to you, to invite you to also come alongside him if the Lord touches your heart to do so, by posting this story.
Back Story
October 26, 2016 Living Life. Thankful. Counting blessings.
Onset of significant stomach pain.
Urgent care visit. Referred immediately to ER.
Transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, suffering severe pain. Driver made EVERY green light (God’s hand) to get him there.
Admitted to Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Diagnosed with burst appendix. Emergency surgery. Carcinoid tumors in appendix caused it to burst. (Same tumors also found on liver).
Burst appendix caused septic infection.
Induced coma. Next memory: woke up on Nov 11.
Hospitalized for over 6+ weeks; Intubated for first 2 of them.
Transferred to rehab facility due to significant muscle atrophy, loss of strength and lack of stamina.
Discharged to home healthcare/therapy on December 11.
Extreme breathing difficulty. Rushed back to ER; Diagnosed with stenosis of lower airway (due to the life support intubation). Underwent surgical procedure to correct stenosis. Unsuccessful.
Re-admitted to hospital and received surgery to insert stent into damaged airway enabling Jon’s breathing to improve. However, not fully successful. It also has affected Jon’s speech, causes frequent coughing and generates large amount of phlegm.
Sleeping is very difficult. Breathing remains an issue, Jon experiences pain in his throat when turning his head.
Costs
Jon is self-employed so is unable to fully operate his business productively. As Jon describes it, he “is his business.” As a result business profits have been in decline down approximately $30,000 in 2017. Reduced and declining profitability continues in 2018.
Jon has also started chemo treatments for the cancer. Receiving monthly injections at a cost of roughly $8000 per treatment, $1000 per month out-of-pocket after insurance. To date, Jon’s share of medical expenses is over $30K. Savings are diminished. Insurance coverage is limited and finite. Desperate circumstances.
Breathing difficulty worsening now requiring open-chest surgery at Cleveland Clinic Florida to remove airway stent which has become blocked. Anticipated cost of this surgery is $95,000 which is not fully covered by insurance.
Current Situation
Jon now requires stent removal and reconstructive surgery and of course, the money to pay for it.
How you can help
Donate to help fund Jon’s medical care. Help him to get well. Help him cover surgery costs and continuation of chemo treatments.
Share and repost this so that many others can see and perhaps be moved to assist in this fundraising effort.
Giving Thanks
There are always so very many worthy causes to which we could contribute our support. This is certainly one of them. If God touches your heart to act on this one, your contributions will be very well-placed and appreciated beyond measure. Thank you!
One of these brothers-in-Christ, Jon Priestap has been suffering from significant health challenges for the past several years. Jon is a good and brave man, a child of God who is well-loved and respected by his peers. His medical expense co-pays have taken a toll on his finances adding even more stress to his condition.
He now needs another surgery which his insurance will not fully cover and that he cannot afford. Our Bible study group is helping as best we can. However, what Jon requires is beyond our means. Because of our love and respect for Jon, we have decided to reach out to you, to invite you to also come alongside him if the Lord touches your heart to do so, by posting this story.
Back Story
October 26, 2016 Living Life. Thankful. Counting blessings.
Onset of significant stomach pain.
Urgent care visit. Referred immediately to ER.
Transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, suffering severe pain. Driver made EVERY green light (God’s hand) to get him there.
Admitted to Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Diagnosed with burst appendix. Emergency surgery. Carcinoid tumors in appendix caused it to burst. (Same tumors also found on liver).
Burst appendix caused septic infection.
Induced coma. Next memory: woke up on Nov 11.
Hospitalized for over 6+ weeks; Intubated for first 2 of them.
Transferred to rehab facility due to significant muscle atrophy, loss of strength and lack of stamina.
Discharged to home healthcare/therapy on December 11.
Extreme breathing difficulty. Rushed back to ER; Diagnosed with stenosis of lower airway (due to the life support intubation). Underwent surgical procedure to correct stenosis. Unsuccessful.
Re-admitted to hospital and received surgery to insert stent into damaged airway enabling Jon’s breathing to improve. However, not fully successful. It also has affected Jon’s speech, causes frequent coughing and generates large amount of phlegm.
Sleeping is very difficult. Breathing remains an issue, Jon experiences pain in his throat when turning his head.
Costs
Jon is self-employed so is unable to fully operate his business productively. As Jon describes it, he “is his business.” As a result business profits have been in decline down approximately $30,000 in 2017. Reduced and declining profitability continues in 2018.
Jon has also started chemo treatments for the cancer. Receiving monthly injections at a cost of roughly $8000 per treatment, $1000 per month out-of-pocket after insurance. To date, Jon’s share of medical expenses is over $30K. Savings are diminished. Insurance coverage is limited and finite. Desperate circumstances.
Breathing difficulty worsening now requiring open-chest surgery at Cleveland Clinic Florida to remove airway stent which has become blocked. Anticipated cost of this surgery is $95,000 which is not fully covered by insurance.
Current Situation
Jon now requires stent removal and reconstructive surgery and of course, the money to pay for it.
How you can help
Donate to help fund Jon’s medical care. Help him to get well. Help him cover surgery costs and continuation of chemo treatments.
Share and repost this so that many others can see and perhaps be moved to assist in this fundraising effort.
Giving Thanks
There are always so very many worthy causes to which we could contribute our support. This is certainly one of them. If God touches your heart to act on this one, your contributions will be very well-placed and appreciated beyond measure. Thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Paul Vachon
Organizer
Venice, FL
Jon Priestap
Beneficiary