We are asking as a "Family Unit" for help!

Our brother, Gary, whose nickname is Clay, has been diagnosed with a rare disease known as "Extra Pulmonary Sarcoidosis" and Cardiac Sarcoidosis.

Sounds complicated right? Well, it is challenging. This disease presents as cancer; they first thought he had mediastinal lymphoma and multiple myeloma; he has lesions throughout his upper body, bones, bone marrow and spine.

Because it is scarce, it's also a complicated process to diagnose; many months of testing and blood work had to rule out other factors. Gary has already had multiple procedures, three biopsies, an angiograph which came back clean, PET Scan, numerous CT scans, x-rays, and too many blood panels to mention. 

On 4/20/22, he received an ICD after the disease caused an A-Fib attack before Easter Weekend. EPS and Sarcoidosis of the Heart create small cell clusters called granulomas. Within the heart, they can cause electrical problems. These lead to a near-death experience and loss of consciousness the Saturday before Easter. 

Most of you know our family is very familiar with fighting cancer. We have experienced some tough times over the last couple of years with losing our mother, uncle and most recently, our oldest sister. We are a firm Irish family with a great passion for family and friends! We have had so many people ask how they can help our family during this time, so here is one way you contribute if you have the means. 

God is always first.  Please pray for him, his wife, two children...and their dog Belle.

He is unable to provide for them currently. The course of treatment will be chemical-based and extensive over the next year and a half. With the changes to his body, his work in music and as a School Bus driver may be halted or forced to change forever. He has filed for disability, but a judgment on that won't be known until after the New Year.

They have so many expenses, between co-pays, medications, and gas, to go back and forth to specialists in addition to their monthly payments. His wife, Brooke, is currently attending school to get credentialed to be a teacher.

He just found out they're reaching the end of the road with drug therapy. If he's healthy enough after the subsequent echocardiogram in November, he may be able to start cardiac rehab. If the heart does not improve after this step, he will most likely be looking into signing up for a transplant list. A heart transplant is a huge step that we hope to avoid. He's working his tail off and following all medical advice to get better.

We are asking for your help! The link provided goes directly into their account.

We have changed the goal to $35,000. Thank you, and God bless you for assisting! We all truly appreciate each of you!

 

From Gary: I just had a brutal shoulder surgery, as this heals up I will start Remicade infusions and they're very expensive, not all covered by insurance. If you've given before thank you for your help. If you're a new or repeat donor, thanks so much. I'm in tons of pain and using pain meds to get through this. I had a full rotator cuff tear, biceps tendon was sewn up and part of my scapula that had chipped off from drug therapy as a result from fighting Sarcoidosis was to blame. I realize everyone may be stretched thin, if you can help us please do.

Thanks ladies and gentlemen,

Gary L. Boring

aka Clay