#HelpJoe

Hello, my name is Mark Sandoval.  I want to start off by thanking each of you for taking time out of your lives to open this page and join my family as we do our best to make it through this difficult time in our lives.       In May of this year, My father began to feel ill after he would eat a meal. He saw a couple of doctors who stated it was just an upset stomach or maybe an ulcer. He changed his diet, but within a week his condition took a turn. He began to vomit every time he would eat or drink. He was taken to a nearby hospital where they gave him fluid and did multiple tests over the course of a week. He began to lose weight and his blood platelet count began to drop. He received a blood transfusion as was told he would begin to recover and he would go home within a day. We were relieved to see him back on his feet and smiling even though he had lost 30 lbs that week in the hospital. He began to eat again and walk around, but two days later it began again.  He returned to the hospItal and they gave him the same treatment again and after two weeks he was released. He came home 20 lbs lighter and a lot weaker. But after a couple days, he got sick again. He was admitted to the hospital for the third time for the same symptoms. This time, the hospital told my mother they could not treat him there and she should take him to the medical center as they are more equip for his unknown illness. He was immediately admitted to Saint Lukes Hospital in the medical center as they worried about how rapid he was worsening. After many blood tests,4 endoscopic procedures, 2 colonoscopies scopes, and CT scans the doctors are beginning to figure out what is going on. He developed Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Autoimmune Enteropathy, and Lupus. The doctors told us that two of the illnesses are so rare this was the first time they were learning about it.  As of today he has lost almost 90 lbs and weighs only 96 lbs.  His stomach and his intestines have stopped functioning. His body is rejecting the medication and his blood pressure is low. He is very weak, but he is still fighting hard. The doctors will be trying different medication and possible surgical procedures soon and remain positive.       My family is remaining strong, but the first bill of many arrived in the mail last week and we were shocked at what it said. My father has good health insurance from his work, but they told us it will not cover all of it. The first bill was from the first 3 weeks of hospital visits from the local hospital that asked us to take him to the medical center. It totaled $110,000, but we were responsible for $25,000 of it.  This is a massive amount that we know will keep rising as he is still in the hospital 3 months later. He had not been able to go to work since mid June. My mother works full time for Jo-Ann Fabrics and rushes right over to be with her husband daily despite paying $50 each time beacuse hospital does not validate parking. Both their employers have been extremely understanding of the situation. My father's employer has even paid him a month without work because he works 55 hour weeks for the past 30 years and has never taken a sick days, but this too has run out.  My family is helping my parents pay their rent and food for the past two months, but our financial situation is getting worse. My parents lost their home to Harvey a year ago, and now may lose their home again.  His illnesses are not temporary and we fear he may not return to work for months if at all. To see a hard working father who is never sick and always provides has been a life change for our family.      We started this page to ask for assistance with medical expenses and living expenses while we try to support my father through this time in his life . The waves  of medical bills are arriving and the cost to just be by my father, a grandfather and husband, side is very high.  Monetary donations is not all we are asking for. Thoughts and prayers are needed right now. Please we ask if you can help spread this page to anyone you know. Our family Thanks you everything that you can do.