Kerry's Journey To New Lungs

Most of you that know my mom, know that it wasn't very long ago that she was having a blast living life and being her normal sarcastic self. A blessing to everyone who meets her, and generous and loving beyond measure. Always taking care of everyone else! As most of you know.... Less than two years ago, she had what she thought was a touch of pneumonia. She went to the doctor's... Got the usual round of antibiotics and steroids and went on her way. It was routine for her, since it was probably her 6th time with it! Strangely, this time it didn't go away. They tried again, to no avail. She was referred to a pulmonary doctor... And that's when her whole life changed. After a battery of tests... My beautiful, fun loving mama was diagnosed with Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This is a lung disease that progressively scars your lungs until they have no function left. There is NO CURE. The only thing they can do is give you some medicine to help you slow the progression....and then a lung transplant. There are two types. A slower progression, and then a rapid decline. Unfortunately, she got the rapid decline. In a year....she has gone from no oxygen dependency to 15 liters while sitting and 25 liters just to walk to the bathroom. She has about 15% lung function left... And a transplant is her only option. As you can probably guess... This is an extremely costly surgery. While she has insurance, and many of the costs are covered (which we are very grateful)... Not everything is covered. Life with lung disease and not being able to work has really taken its toll on things. Co-pays and deductibles, trips to Cleveland Clinic, hotel stays for her visits.... It's all adding up. She also will have a very high medication cost after transplant. Anyone who knows my mom, knows she is the first one to help everyone in her life. She selflessly gives her time (without being asked), and will give her shirt off her back to anyone in need. Because she will never ask for help, I want to reach out on her behalf. Let's all pull together to help her breathe a little easier.... Financially and literally. ❤