Bruce Steven Wade Double Lung Transplant: I.P.F.
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Bruce Steven Wade and I am 56 years old. Five years ago I was officially diagnosed with, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (I.P.F.).
I.P.F. is a type of lung disease that results in scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs, destroying the elasticity in your lungs so that they are unable to expand and contract as they should, while interfering with the transfer of oxygen and carbon monoxide through your blood. Over time the scarring gets worse and it becomes hard to take in a breath and the lungs cannot take in enough oxygen.
I have been with IBEW Local 625 since 1985. At almost all the job sites, the ability to climb flights of stairs while carrying your full tool kit and cables is the norm. I continued to work because I did not want to give in to the disease, despite the difficulty, and work helped to keep my mind occupied and away from the outcome without a double lung transplant. As time went by after the diagnosis, my co-workers and bosses became aware of my worsening condition and insisted I take the elevators, even having the apprentices carry my tools. Side effects of medications have resulted in numerous trips to the washroom, slowing down my work progress considerably. The washroom breaks did not go unnoticed and I had to repeatedly explain my condition and medication time and time again. My employer was aware of my condition and made accommodations for my condition as much as possible. Talking and walking brings on a fit of coughs and breathlessness that startles everyone around me. Not surprisingly, I was one of the first persons laid off at the last few job sites that I was on and I have been physically unable to work for well over a year.
I.P.F. has also affected my day-to-day home life. My two children are grown and living on their own, and my wife, Sherry, and I are the sole occupants of our home. My wife has been my rock, accompanying me on my appointments, and being my medical advocate. She has had to take over the daily chores that I enjoyed doing. She mows the lawn, snowplows our driveway, chops wood, stacks it and brings it in to the house. She helps me dress and wash on days that I am physically drained. We have moved our bedroom from the second floor to the first, as I am no longer able to navigate the stairs without an attack. Even visits with our two young grandchildren put a strain on us, because my wife has to do everything with them, as my condition has deteriorated to the point that I am now only able to sit and watch them, and have a very limited ability to interact with them, which bothers me. Not knowing what tomorrow will bring, means that I want to enjoy these visits as much as possible. We are about to welcome a third grandson into the world and I would love to have the opportunity to carry him, mind him, play with him and see him grow up.
Lung transplants are one of the organs that cannot be done at home here in Halifax. I have to move to Toronto for a minimum of 4 months, up to 2 years, dependent upon the severity of the condition of my lungs at the time of the surgery. Once I arrive back home in Nova Scotia, after surgery, I still have to make multiple trips back to Toronto for follow up appointments. My living expenses will more than double, as I have to maintain my home in Nova Scotia, while also paying for housing in Toronto, along with numerous essential medications. I have enjoyed working for over 30 years, but work is no longer possible and the medical & living expenses involved in an out of province double lung transplant are so very expensive. And unfortunately there always seems to be unexpected expenses that pop up out of the blue at the most inopportune time.
I am asking for your assistance. Any amount helps, and would be most appreciated.
Thank you,
Bruce Steven Wade
I.P.F. is a type of lung disease that results in scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs, destroying the elasticity in your lungs so that they are unable to expand and contract as they should, while interfering with the transfer of oxygen and carbon monoxide through your blood. Over time the scarring gets worse and it becomes hard to take in a breath and the lungs cannot take in enough oxygen.
I have been with IBEW Local 625 since 1985. At almost all the job sites, the ability to climb flights of stairs while carrying your full tool kit and cables is the norm. I continued to work because I did not want to give in to the disease, despite the difficulty, and work helped to keep my mind occupied and away from the outcome without a double lung transplant. As time went by after the diagnosis, my co-workers and bosses became aware of my worsening condition and insisted I take the elevators, even having the apprentices carry my tools. Side effects of medications have resulted in numerous trips to the washroom, slowing down my work progress considerably. The washroom breaks did not go unnoticed and I had to repeatedly explain my condition and medication time and time again. My employer was aware of my condition and made accommodations for my condition as much as possible. Talking and walking brings on a fit of coughs and breathlessness that startles everyone around me. Not surprisingly, I was one of the first persons laid off at the last few job sites that I was on and I have been physically unable to work for well over a year.
I.P.F. has also affected my day-to-day home life. My two children are grown and living on their own, and my wife, Sherry, and I are the sole occupants of our home. My wife has been my rock, accompanying me on my appointments, and being my medical advocate. She has had to take over the daily chores that I enjoyed doing. She mows the lawn, snowplows our driveway, chops wood, stacks it and brings it in to the house. She helps me dress and wash on days that I am physically drained. We have moved our bedroom from the second floor to the first, as I am no longer able to navigate the stairs without an attack. Even visits with our two young grandchildren put a strain on us, because my wife has to do everything with them, as my condition has deteriorated to the point that I am now only able to sit and watch them, and have a very limited ability to interact with them, which bothers me. Not knowing what tomorrow will bring, means that I want to enjoy these visits as much as possible. We are about to welcome a third grandson into the world and I would love to have the opportunity to carry him, mind him, play with him and see him grow up.
Lung transplants are one of the organs that cannot be done at home here in Halifax. I have to move to Toronto for a minimum of 4 months, up to 2 years, dependent upon the severity of the condition of my lungs at the time of the surgery. Once I arrive back home in Nova Scotia, after surgery, I still have to make multiple trips back to Toronto for follow up appointments. My living expenses will more than double, as I have to maintain my home in Nova Scotia, while also paying for housing in Toronto, along with numerous essential medications. I have enjoyed working for over 30 years, but work is no longer possible and the medical & living expenses involved in an out of province double lung transplant are so very expensive. And unfortunately there always seems to be unexpected expenses that pop up out of the blue at the most inopportune time.
I am asking for your assistance. Any amount helps, and would be most appreciated.
Thank you,
Bruce Steven Wade
Organizer
Bruce Wade
Organizer
Head of Chezzetcook, NS