The Graham Family Support Fund
Donation protected
As a friend and neighbor of the Graham family, I love them and care about the ongoing medical journey for Greg. I want to help them in a real, concrete way as they face a new challenge. I know they are loved by so many of you and you might want to help. Thank You! There may be others that don't even know this dear family yet might want to help as well. Thank You and please share this with others.
I started The Graham Family Support Fund to hopefully offset some of their financial burden.
I asked permission to share their story to give insight as to what they are enduring. Here is their story, written by Michele, with approval from Greg...
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We are the Graham Family and this is Greg’s Story
The story transpired over many years and includes far more depth than we can write here, but we will give you the briefest synopsis possible.
Greg and Michele were married in 1984. Four months later Greg showed signs of severe jaundice. After a few misdiagnoses, it was discovered that he had a 99% blockage in his bile duct. After surgery for a bile duct bypass he should only have spent seven days in the hospital and home for recovery.
UNFORTUNATELY there was a Surgical Error where they nicked his pancreas, causing acute Pancreatitis. He required an additional Six Surgeries for pancreatic debridement, abdominal scar closure, and 47 days in the hospital (remember, we were newlyweds). Recovery from this was long and extensive, but Greg went on to relative normalcy for a couple of years.
Next was the discovery of Diabetes due to the damage to the pancreas. Several years of struggling with diet, pills, insulin and finally an insulin pump, took a toll on his body. He acquired several diabetic complications: Neuropathy, Gastroparesis, Eye issues, etc. Greg suffered a Diabetic Coma in 2010 and shortly after that his Kidneys Failed.
Kidney failure requires Dialysis, which for Greg is at a facility 20 minutes from home, three days a week, four hours a day. This whole process has been exhausting for him both physically and emotionally. (For all of us really!)
In 2013, treatment for another Medical Error left Greg hospitalized for several days and almost three months in a
Care Facility to regain body strength and stability.
Now the “Good News” for 2014!!!
Greg is finally at the TOP of the transplant list for a
DUAL ORGAN TRANSPLANT (uncommon) of both a kidney and a pancreas. The potential for Greg with this transplant is
NO MORE DIABETES and NO MORE DIALYSIS. We are thrilled beyond thrilled with the potential that lies ahead if he is “Gifted” these organs. Of course there is a large risk involved with it as well, and for that we are trusting God to take care of the details.
In the midst of all of these years of struggle, our family has found continued strength, support and provision from GOD.
He has made the impossible possible, and He has given us peace. Our family is very close as we cling to the hope for a new future…not only for Greg but for all of us as well.
As you can imagine, this has been quite a ride. We want to Thank You for your support of love, prayers, and financial donations…may God bless you through it! We appreciate you all more than we can ever express.
God Bless! Love, The Graham Family
**************************************************
I started The Graham Family Support Fund to hopefully offset some of their financial burden.
I asked permission to share their story to give insight as to what they are enduring. Here is their story, written by Michele, with approval from Greg...
**************************************************
We are the Graham Family and this is Greg’s Story
The story transpired over many years and includes far more depth than we can write here, but we will give you the briefest synopsis possible.
Greg and Michele were married in 1984. Four months later Greg showed signs of severe jaundice. After a few misdiagnoses, it was discovered that he had a 99% blockage in his bile duct. After surgery for a bile duct bypass he should only have spent seven days in the hospital and home for recovery.
UNFORTUNATELY there was a Surgical Error where they nicked his pancreas, causing acute Pancreatitis. He required an additional Six Surgeries for pancreatic debridement, abdominal scar closure, and 47 days in the hospital (remember, we were newlyweds). Recovery from this was long and extensive, but Greg went on to relative normalcy for a couple of years.
Next was the discovery of Diabetes due to the damage to the pancreas. Several years of struggling with diet, pills, insulin and finally an insulin pump, took a toll on his body. He acquired several diabetic complications: Neuropathy, Gastroparesis, Eye issues, etc. Greg suffered a Diabetic Coma in 2010 and shortly after that his Kidneys Failed.
Kidney failure requires Dialysis, which for Greg is at a facility 20 minutes from home, three days a week, four hours a day. This whole process has been exhausting for him both physically and emotionally. (For all of us really!)
In 2013, treatment for another Medical Error left Greg hospitalized for several days and almost three months in a
Care Facility to regain body strength and stability.
Now the “Good News” for 2014!!!
Greg is finally at the TOP of the transplant list for a
DUAL ORGAN TRANSPLANT (uncommon) of both a kidney and a pancreas. The potential for Greg with this transplant is
NO MORE DIABETES and NO MORE DIALYSIS. We are thrilled beyond thrilled with the potential that lies ahead if he is “Gifted” these organs. Of course there is a large risk involved with it as well, and for that we are trusting God to take care of the details.
In the midst of all of these years of struggle, our family has found continued strength, support and provision from GOD.
He has made the impossible possible, and He has given us peace. Our family is very close as we cling to the hope for a new future…not only for Greg but for all of us as well.
As you can imagine, this has been quite a ride. We want to Thank You for your support of love, prayers, and financial donations…may God bless you through it! We appreciate you all more than we can ever express.
God Bless! Love, The Graham Family
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Organizer
Julie Hoffman
Organizer
Penn Valley, CA
