Reichardt Family Medical Fund
Donation protected
The Reichardt Medical Journey
The Reichardt Family is a wonderful, amazingly strong, family. John and Carol and their four beautiful children, Taylor, Karly, Nick and Sydney, have been blessed with many things, but they have also been tested with many illnesses, medical procedures, surgeries and hospitalizations.
To date, as a family, they have had to endure 4 open-heart surgeries: John has had a valve replacement and a pace maker, and Nick and Sydney had open heart surgery each at the age of one. Last year, at the age of 13, Sydney had another open-heart surgery to replace a valve. This alone, would overwhelm most families, yet the Reichardts have had even more to deal with. Four members of the family suffer from a genetic disorder of Juvenile Polyposis. Because of this, they develop polyps in their digestive tract and have regular endoscopies and colonoscopies as well as stomach surgeries. Nick and John have had stomach surgeries, and Taylor has had her colon removed and now has a J-Pouch to do the work of her colon. John has undergone two brain radiation procedures at St. Luke’s due to an AVM (brain leak). Taylor has had an ACL repair at the age of 15, and Nick has had his appendix removed due to polyps.
While working and taking care of her family, Carol was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disease called Myasthenia Gravis. This came with the need for Plasma exchanges, regular visits to Froedtert Hospital and the inability to work and care for her family in the manner she was accustomed. Adding to the financial and emotional burdens, John lost his job of 24 years and spent 3 years looking for a job in his field. They continue to stay strong in their faith as well as their commitment to family and friends and try to remember that, “God only gives you what you can handle.”
But, in case they haven’t had enough to handle, they have three pending surgeries in the next year: Nick will most likely have a hernia operation in the next couple of months, and John needs another stomach surgery to remove a bleeding tumor, as well as surgery on his pelvic bone/lower back. The pelvic surgery is a new one for them, and they are not sure what to expect, but they will handle what God gives them, as always.
Through this they have quickly realized how humble one needs to become at times. They are usually the first ones to be there for others and now it is time we step up to be there for them. Watching them struggle without complaint to meet existing monthly medical expenses, co-pays, insurance bills, cobra payments, and other mounting medical bills including paying approximately $4000 a year in prescription medication alone. Now with the added financial burden of the cost of three more surgeries, a group of friends has decided to intervene and try to lessen their burden.
To that end, we are hoping you can help us ease the burden for this well-deserving family. Any amount donated will help decrease the huge medical bills that they are dealing with. Please share the Reichardt story with your friends and family and consider making a donation. Thank you for reading their story. The Reichardts and all of us appreciate your support!!
Sincerely, Friends of the Reichardt Family
The Reichardt Family is a wonderful, amazingly strong, family. John and Carol and their four beautiful children, Taylor, Karly, Nick and Sydney, have been blessed with many things, but they have also been tested with many illnesses, medical procedures, surgeries and hospitalizations.
To date, as a family, they have had to endure 4 open-heart surgeries: John has had a valve replacement and a pace maker, and Nick and Sydney had open heart surgery each at the age of one. Last year, at the age of 13, Sydney had another open-heart surgery to replace a valve. This alone, would overwhelm most families, yet the Reichardts have had even more to deal with. Four members of the family suffer from a genetic disorder of Juvenile Polyposis. Because of this, they develop polyps in their digestive tract and have regular endoscopies and colonoscopies as well as stomach surgeries. Nick and John have had stomach surgeries, and Taylor has had her colon removed and now has a J-Pouch to do the work of her colon. John has undergone two brain radiation procedures at St. Luke’s due to an AVM (brain leak). Taylor has had an ACL repair at the age of 15, and Nick has had his appendix removed due to polyps.
While working and taking care of her family, Carol was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disease called Myasthenia Gravis. This came with the need for Plasma exchanges, regular visits to Froedtert Hospital and the inability to work and care for her family in the manner she was accustomed. Adding to the financial and emotional burdens, John lost his job of 24 years and spent 3 years looking for a job in his field. They continue to stay strong in their faith as well as their commitment to family and friends and try to remember that, “God only gives you what you can handle.”
But, in case they haven’t had enough to handle, they have three pending surgeries in the next year: Nick will most likely have a hernia operation in the next couple of months, and John needs another stomach surgery to remove a bleeding tumor, as well as surgery on his pelvic bone/lower back. The pelvic surgery is a new one for them, and they are not sure what to expect, but they will handle what God gives them, as always.
Through this they have quickly realized how humble one needs to become at times. They are usually the first ones to be there for others and now it is time we step up to be there for them. Watching them struggle without complaint to meet existing monthly medical expenses, co-pays, insurance bills, cobra payments, and other mounting medical bills including paying approximately $4000 a year in prescription medication alone. Now with the added financial burden of the cost of three more surgeries, a group of friends has decided to intervene and try to lessen their burden.
To that end, we are hoping you can help us ease the burden for this well-deserving family. Any amount donated will help decrease the huge medical bills that they are dealing with. Please share the Reichardt story with your friends and family and consider making a donation. Thank you for reading their story. The Reichardts and all of us appreciate your support!!
Sincerely, Friends of the Reichardt Family
Organizer
Sandy Leitheiser
Organizer
West Bend, WI
