Mechels Family Crisis
Donation protected
The Mechels' family is just like any other small town family. They live in Burns, Wyoming population 301. Jeremy Mechels is a hard working father of 2 (Jonny 15 and Caedmon 10) and owner/operator of JMC Transport, a small trucking company. He is notorious for putting in at least 90 hours a week working. He is highly respected by his neighbors as well as everyone he deals with. In October 2013, he was diagnosed with leukemia and had a bone marrow transplant in April 2014 after multiple rounds of chemo. His wife Michelle has been by his side through every treatment. Jeremy's only sister, Brenda, lives in Omaha and had been traveling back and forth.
January 18, 2014, Brenda andJeremy lost their mom,Barbara, to cancer.
After the bone marrow transplant, Jeremy hit the ground running and was released a month earlier than expected. He would have short bouts in the hospital here and there because his immune system was so weak. He had his first bout of graft vs. host ( the donor cells attack Jeremy's cells) but recovered fairly quickly. The recovery from a bone marrow transplant takes between 1-3 years and everyone was counting the days to that one year mark.
Setback
Before Thanksgiving, Jeremy started having massive abdominal pain. They went to Fort Collins where he stayed but talked the doctor into letting him out for Thanksgiving. Two weeks later he was back in the hospital unable to keep anything down. The doctors there couldn't figure out what was wrong and Jeremy developed pneumonia. He was transferred toPresbyterian/St. Lukes in Denver where he received his transplant. The doctors diagnosed him with graft vs. host of the liver and bacterial pneumonia. Jeremy hadn't eaten for over a month and couldn't keep anything down or in. He had to take 2 IV poles with him due to all the meds he was on. He spent Christmas in the hospital unable to see his kids. They had planned on spending Christmas with Brenda and her family since it was the first Christmas without their mom.
Enough is Enough
A week after the anniversary of Barbara's death, Jeremy decided it was time to go home. The doctors, after 6 weeks, couldn't figure out what was wrong and why he wasn't responding to treatment. He was getting weaker and losing weight quickly. Jeremy was so used to hard work and fought hard to recover. He had only seen his kids a few times in 2 months and had no intention on dying in the hospital. Jeremy, the hard working provider, wanted to spend his time at home surrounded by his family and friends. While we sit here with him hoping for a miracle, we know it is just a matter of time before he goes to see his mom. Hospice is coming to the house and it is déjà vu. The hospice nurse that cared for Barbara is now caring for Jeremy. Everything that happened a year ago with Barbara is now happening with Jeremy.
Michelle (Jeremy's wife) is now coming to the reality that she will be a widow and left to raise the kids. Brenda (sister) is coming to the realization that she is the last one left of the family.
Financially, the numbers are daunting. Jeremy spent 6 weeks in the ICU in Denver and 4 weeks in Ft. Collins. Credit cards are nearing the max point. On top of that will be the funeral and the business. It is a very intimidating scenario.
The money raised will go towards Jeremy's medical bills, funeral and to help the family with day to day needs. 'Remember it doesn't matter the amount you give, you can give any amount". Every little bit helps. If you are unable to donate, please pass this on. Thank you!
January 18, 2014, Brenda andJeremy lost their mom,Barbara, to cancer.
After the bone marrow transplant, Jeremy hit the ground running and was released a month earlier than expected. He would have short bouts in the hospital here and there because his immune system was so weak. He had his first bout of graft vs. host ( the donor cells attack Jeremy's cells) but recovered fairly quickly. The recovery from a bone marrow transplant takes between 1-3 years and everyone was counting the days to that one year mark.
Setback
Before Thanksgiving, Jeremy started having massive abdominal pain. They went to Fort Collins where he stayed but talked the doctor into letting him out for Thanksgiving. Two weeks later he was back in the hospital unable to keep anything down. The doctors there couldn't figure out what was wrong and Jeremy developed pneumonia. He was transferred toPresbyterian/St. Lukes in Denver where he received his transplant. The doctors diagnosed him with graft vs. host of the liver and bacterial pneumonia. Jeremy hadn't eaten for over a month and couldn't keep anything down or in. He had to take 2 IV poles with him due to all the meds he was on. He spent Christmas in the hospital unable to see his kids. They had planned on spending Christmas with Brenda and her family since it was the first Christmas without their mom.
Enough is Enough
A week after the anniversary of Barbara's death, Jeremy decided it was time to go home. The doctors, after 6 weeks, couldn't figure out what was wrong and why he wasn't responding to treatment. He was getting weaker and losing weight quickly. Jeremy was so used to hard work and fought hard to recover. He had only seen his kids a few times in 2 months and had no intention on dying in the hospital. Jeremy, the hard working provider, wanted to spend his time at home surrounded by his family and friends. While we sit here with him hoping for a miracle, we know it is just a matter of time before he goes to see his mom. Hospice is coming to the house and it is déjà vu. The hospice nurse that cared for Barbara is now caring for Jeremy. Everything that happened a year ago with Barbara is now happening with Jeremy.
Michelle (Jeremy's wife) is now coming to the reality that she will be a widow and left to raise the kids. Brenda (sister) is coming to the realization that she is the last one left of the family.
Financially, the numbers are daunting. Jeremy spent 6 weeks in the ICU in Denver and 4 weeks in Ft. Collins. Credit cards are nearing the max point. On top of that will be the funeral and the business. It is a very intimidating scenario.
The money raised will go towards Jeremy's medical bills, funeral and to help the family with day to day needs. 'Remember it doesn't matter the amount you give, you can give any amount". Every little bit helps. If you are unable to donate, please pass this on. Thank you!
Organiser
Shannon Mechels-Struby
Organiser
La Vista, NE
