Bring Dana Kline Home to Chicago

Our dad — Dana Kline (or “Mup” as we’ve always called him) — was driving back from visiting us in California when he started complaining of nausea. We told him to stop and get some rest and that was in Joplin, MO on September 21. He ended up calling an ambulance and was admitted to Freeman West Hospital in Joplin that same day for shortness of breath and severe pain. He was eventually diagnosed with cellulitis which led to sepsis and his knee replacement becoming infected. He had an operation on the infected knee and was on his way to recovering when flash pulmonary edema set it and put him into respiratory distress. He was then transferred to the ICU on September 28. A heart surgeon was consulted and he performed a heart catheterization on September 29. He inserted one stent in the lower part of his heart to fix an artery that was 99% blocked and he is now awaiting a second procedure to repair 90% and 70% blockages at the top of his heart. My dad has been in and out of delirium the entire time, but the one constant has been wanting us with him and to go HOME. Having been in Joplin for 10 days now we are hoping to raise funds to cover the cost of a private Alpha Air fixed wing, pilot, RN and paramedic to get him back to the Chicago area. Having lost my mom less than two years ago and being here in an unfamiliar place facing such critical medical issues again is honestly excruciating. Any support you can offer to help us is so deeply appreciated. Words cannot express our immense gratitude for family and friends who have been offering their unwavering love and prayers.