My wife Jen, 11 month old son Jack and I will be moving to New Orleans in February for a few months so that I can get my long-awaited liver transplant. I was diagnosed with a disease called autoimmune hepatitis when I was 17. Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic disease that causes my immune system to attack and damage my liver, to the point where it no longer functions properly. It is unknown what causes it.
On the plus side, I feel very lucky that I will be able to get a transplant as many people don’t before they pass away. I will also have a pretty cool scar to make up stories about so I’m looking forward to that.
On the minus side, this is a serious surgery with a long recovery time. I have to have the transplant in New Orleans because the waiting list for livers in California is too long and my doctors have said I won't get one in time. I will not be working for a while before and after the surgery and relocating will be very expensive, as will my pre- and post-transplant care. We are hoping to raise money to help us pay for flights, a place to live, a rental car, and my medical expenses. We would like to raise enough money so that we don’t have to worry about finances and can concentrate on me getting better.
Also, and most importantly, the more money that we are able to raise, the longer that Jen and Jack will be able to stay in New Orleans with me instead of returning home to California. Going through this has taught me to cherish every second I have with my family because nothing is guaranteed. Having them with me in New Orleans while I recover from the transplant will mean the world to all of us and surely speed up my recovery. I don't want to miss Jack growing up. Any amount you can donate would be so, so appreciated by all of us. Thank you!
On the plus side, I feel very lucky that I will be able to get a transplant as many people don’t before they pass away. I will also have a pretty cool scar to make up stories about so I’m looking forward to that.
On the minus side, this is a serious surgery with a long recovery time. I have to have the transplant in New Orleans because the waiting list for livers in California is too long and my doctors have said I won't get one in time. I will not be working for a while before and after the surgery and relocating will be very expensive, as will my pre- and post-transplant care. We are hoping to raise money to help us pay for flights, a place to live, a rental car, and my medical expenses. We would like to raise enough money so that we don’t have to worry about finances and can concentrate on me getting better.
Also, and most importantly, the more money that we are able to raise, the longer that Jen and Jack will be able to stay in New Orleans with me instead of returning home to California. Going through this has taught me to cherish every second I have with my family because nothing is guaranteed. Having them with me in New Orleans while I recover from the transplant will mean the world to all of us and surely speed up my recovery. I don't want to miss Jack growing up. Any amount you can donate would be so, so appreciated by all of us. Thank you!