Chris Bergren's Road to Recovery

Hi everyone, this is Alex Bergren, reaching out to you to ask for assistance on behalf of my brother Chris. Few people outside of the family are aware of what he has been through the last few months, but we are all relieved Chris is still with us.

Here's a brief summary of what has happened: Over the last few months, Chris's liver has been failing him. As a result he has found it difficult to eat and lost a significant amount of weight. In late August we noticed that he was jaundiced and worried that something was seriously wrong. In the beginning of September Chris was so weak he could not stand on his own, and he was admitted to the hospital at Princess Anne, where he received treatment, underwent tests, and was put on a medical regimen. Doctors determined that Chris's liver was about 80% or more damaged and was severely stressed to the point where it was not effectively doing its job.

Just two weeks ago, Chris's roommates noticed something was seriously wrong after he had a hard fall, and they called EMS. Chris was taken to Virginia Beach General Hospital. He was suffering from a gastro-intestinal bleed and had lost more than half the blood in his body. Had his roommates not called EMS, Chris would not have survived. He was given transfusions and was intubated and unconscious for 4 days. We were deeply worried we were going to lose him, but thanks to the medical care he received, he pulled through.

Chris is now back home. He is set up to receive medical rehab services at home. He is learning to live with a new normal, working on regaining the strength to walk, maintaining a medical regimen he was given in the hospital, and working on regaining weight and nutrition. He has to visit the hospital regularly to have fluid drained from his abdomen (a symptom of the dysfunctional liver), and he has to learn to live with the daily reality that his liver will not do its job, a condition that could result in dire consequences if lots of things don't go his way (some of which are in his control, some of which are not).

Chris's medical expenses are taken care of through Medicaid, and he is receiving some other assistance for food. While he goes through rehab, he is not able to work, and therefore does not have the funds to meet other living expenses (e.g., rent, utilities, car insurance, etc.). Those of you who know him know Chris is proud, but he also understands that he needs help.

I am reaching out to ask for that help, hopeful that we can give him some assistance until he has regained enough strength to get back to work. We are hoping not more than three months. We appreciate anything you can offer, and of course, if you don't have money to give, please keep him in your thoughts, prayers, or whatever you do to support those you love. Yes, he needs money in the short term, but he also needs to know he has a vast group of people who love him, support him, and want to see him back on his feet and back to life. He knocked hard on death's door in September and fortunately did not receive an answer. We are doing anything we can to make sure he doesn't knock again any time soon.

Thank you for anything you can do.