My name is Annemarie, and I am creating this for my Mom, Jennifer Gholson-Kozik. This is what she has typed.

“In August of 2023, my husband Chris, went on FMLA medical leave from his job at Unit 5 in Normal. He had been forgetful, missing deadlines and just wasn’t acting like himself. He went to many doctor’s appointments, blood draws and scans. We saw lots of doctors and specialists and we finally were told he had liver failure- and that meant he needs a liver transplant. Having a liver that doesn’t work means you can’t process food well and ammonia builds up in your blood. This causes shakiness and instability. It also causes extreme confusion, and as his doctor said, “dementia-like” symptoms. Chris forgets where certain rooms in our house are, how to tell time, how to use the tv remote, and how to eat with a fork/drink from a cup. He needs help remembering his meds and how to take his meds during the day. He hasn’t been able to mow or clean or cook or shovel snow. He can’t drive many places by himself anymore. It is heartbreaking. He is unable to remember the days this happens. Because of this, I have to stay home from my job and I’ve used all my sick days so I don’t get paid for those missed days. Many days of the month Chris can’t be left home alone. We also have a 14 year old who needs more support than a neurotypical teenager. I have to work two jobs to keep our household afloat, but I also need to be home with them as well.

So what are the next steps? We are on the liver transplant list through the University of Chicago. Chris has a team of doctors who are coordinating his care. In the mean time, he is on many, many medications that all cost money.

When he gets his transplant I will be staying in Chicago for at least 2 weeks to a month. During that time I’ll need to pay for parking, my hotel room and food. We don’t know when that will happen. When we go to Chicago for all day appointments, we spend the night in a hotel and have to pay for parking and food.

Soon, Chris’ medical leave will end and he won’t be paid or have health insurance. We’ll have to get him on my insurance or have COBRA and that will be around $900 a month.

As I said, I don’t have any sick days, personal days left. The medical bills are piling up. Once the transplant takes place, I have NO idea how we’ll manage the house and cars and daily needs. Chris will not be able to work for upwards of 4-6 months after his transplant if all goes as planned.

I have never done anything like this before, but if you feel called to help my family lessen some of the financial burden, I will have more in my cup to care for everyone- to make sure I can make all of this less traumatizing in any way, for everyone.

Thank you,

Jennifer”