Donation protected
As many of you know, our son, Rowan was born with a rare and deadly liver disease. He spent his first year of life in and out of hospitals fighting the complications that accompany liver failure. Rowan would later receive his life-saving liver transplant 13 months later on 4 October 2019 at UPMC Children’s Pittsburgh.
Because of post-transplant complications, we spent 3 months living next to the hospital in Ronald McDonald House. The transplant team in Pittsburgh was excellent, and also very candid. With a liver transplant, we are “never out of the woods.”
In Rowan’s 5 year life he has been through more than most go through in a lifetime – a major surgery to try to save his failing liver, a liver transplant, a bile duct obstruction surgery, sepsis, various liver related infections and scar tissue, and in this past year an abdominal obstruction surgery and an emergency appendectomy.
These past four years post-transplant have been filled with many joyous ups, accompanied by stress-filled downs. Along with several hospitalizations, our life consists of lab work, numerous doctor visits, surgical procedures, GI scopes, and radiology procedures - ultrasounds, x-rays, MRI’s, CAT and PET scans.
As a father, it’s overwhelming just to think about it. Yet Rowan remains positive, pushing through the pain, always giving his characteristic smile and thumbs up.
Some have been asking about how you might be able to give. Our heartfelt thanks go out to my friend and NMMI alumnus, Jordy Wommack, for all his support and generosity with his efforts. After speaking with Jordy and hearing from others who have already given generously, we have taken their advice to launch a GoFundMe.
We have not asked for financial help in 4 years. From the beginning, our only concern was saving Rowan’s life and getting him the best care. As most of you know, even with health insurance, Rowan’s care comes with both an emotional price as well as a financial one.
We also knew, but couldn’t begin to calculate all the additional expenses such as air travel, food and lodging, medicines, co-pays, as well as the many miles locally to medical appointments and hospital stays, not to mention our pharmacies who know us by name.
As I write this Rowan was treated last Fall with rituxan to treat PTLD (lymphoma), a cancer that he had in 2022 as well. They call it early rejection and are treating it aggressively. Rowan is also being treated for liver rejection with heavy doses of Prednisone steroids in addition to all his other anti-rejection medications.
In this battle we have never felt alone. Your prayers, phone calls, comments, words of support, and visits always lift us up at just the right time. For that we are truly grateful and blessed. I have spent my career in parish and non-profit work. I’m not used to asking, but now we’re needing your financial help. Please give if you can. We are deeply grateful. You can follow Rowan's Facebook page here:
With gratitude,
Todd
Organizer
Todd Collier
Organizer
Plano, TX