D'Apice Family Medical Expenses
Donation protected
If we think about it, each one of us has at least one defining moment in life where things are forever changed. Many of those moments are happy moments: meeting someone special, moving, a graduation, a wedding, a birth. Some are sad: a break-up, a death, a diagnosis. Whatever the event is, we tend to think of life beforehand or life afterwards as if there is an imaginary line drawn somewhere in the universe. Our family has had a number of those defining moments, but none as profound as my husband's aortic dissection in 2000.
My husband Larry was 39 years old when on April 17, 2000 he suffered a Type B aortic dissection from between his shoulder blades past his renal arteries. That changed our lives forever. Since then, (among other things) he has had 5 aneurysms, ten surgeries, a pace maker, MRSSA sepsis, osteomylitis, cellulitis, acute renal failure, CHF and for a nine month period from September 2013- July 2014 he was a hospice patient. That period of time is another defining moment for our family. Miraculously, his condition stabilized and he was discharged from hospice care. Less than 20% of hospice patients are so fortunate.
Over the years he has spent months in-patient in hospitals and rehab facilities. The most recent trial began this past spring when it was discovered he has advanced glaucoma and cataracts. He has been blind in one eye since 2000 so it was devastating to learn that his vision in his good eye was 20/2200. Less than a month ago he had cataract surgery on his good eye. It has improved his sight somewhat but he is considered legally blind. We are not sure how much improvement he will ultimately have after he heals completely.
Larry's health issues are the result of the Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder. (see www.marfan.org) Unfortunately, our two daughters inherited the gene mutation as well. In the last five years both of our daughters have had cardiothoracic surgery. The girls have experienced things like pulmonary embolisms, spinal fusion sugery, staff infections, pyelonephritis, bacterial menengitis, Epstein Bar, mono, cardiac problems, dural ectasia and our eldest spent a month in a rehab facility learning how to walk again- twice! Since they are both adults now, they each are saddled with medical debt of their own.
Before his health became so bad, Larry was one of the key volunteers for the men's ministry, Iron Sharpens Iron. He was an officer of the corporation and a member of the first board of directors. But more importantly, he was part of the conference team logistics and was seen at all of the New England conferences. He helped with the national expansion of the ministry. Still to this day, he has a heart for helping others, even if only from the comfort of his own home.
For the past few years I have been employed as a temporary contractor and have had stretches of unemployment between assignments. My last assignment ended in January 2016. Since then, I have been looking for work and completing my BS. I have done presentations about caregiver stress as well as the effects of chronic illness on the marriage relationship. I feel passionate about helping others cope.
We hate to be asking for help, but we are in terrible need. Between medical bills, our mortgage, taxes, etc. we are swiftly falling behind. My unemployment benefits ran out in August and we are trying to live on Larry's SSDI. Our savings have been exhausted.
One of the immediate needs will be eye glasses once Larry's eyesight stabilizes. It is possible he may need some special software or equipment to help him to live with his visual impairment better.
Your donation will help us stay afloat until I get another job.
Our need is urgent.
I (we) cannot adequately thank you enough for considering helping us in this time of need. Any amount will be appreciated. Those who have chronic illness or disability in your family know how hard it is to get by sometimes. This is one of those times for us.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you!
God Bless you!
Larry, Valerie, Allison & Julie
.
My husband Larry was 39 years old when on April 17, 2000 he suffered a Type B aortic dissection from between his shoulder blades past his renal arteries. That changed our lives forever. Since then, (among other things) he has had 5 aneurysms, ten surgeries, a pace maker, MRSSA sepsis, osteomylitis, cellulitis, acute renal failure, CHF and for a nine month period from September 2013- July 2014 he was a hospice patient. That period of time is another defining moment for our family. Miraculously, his condition stabilized and he was discharged from hospice care. Less than 20% of hospice patients are so fortunate.
Over the years he has spent months in-patient in hospitals and rehab facilities. The most recent trial began this past spring when it was discovered he has advanced glaucoma and cataracts. He has been blind in one eye since 2000 so it was devastating to learn that his vision in his good eye was 20/2200. Less than a month ago he had cataract surgery on his good eye. It has improved his sight somewhat but he is considered legally blind. We are not sure how much improvement he will ultimately have after he heals completely.
Larry's health issues are the result of the Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder. (see www.marfan.org) Unfortunately, our two daughters inherited the gene mutation as well. In the last five years both of our daughters have had cardiothoracic surgery. The girls have experienced things like pulmonary embolisms, spinal fusion sugery, staff infections, pyelonephritis, bacterial menengitis, Epstein Bar, mono, cardiac problems, dural ectasia and our eldest spent a month in a rehab facility learning how to walk again- twice! Since they are both adults now, they each are saddled with medical debt of their own.
Before his health became so bad, Larry was one of the key volunteers for the men's ministry, Iron Sharpens Iron. He was an officer of the corporation and a member of the first board of directors. But more importantly, he was part of the conference team logistics and was seen at all of the New England conferences. He helped with the national expansion of the ministry. Still to this day, he has a heart for helping others, even if only from the comfort of his own home.
For the past few years I have been employed as a temporary contractor and have had stretches of unemployment between assignments. My last assignment ended in January 2016. Since then, I have been looking for work and completing my BS. I have done presentations about caregiver stress as well as the effects of chronic illness on the marriage relationship. I feel passionate about helping others cope.
We hate to be asking for help, but we are in terrible need. Between medical bills, our mortgage, taxes, etc. we are swiftly falling behind. My unemployment benefits ran out in August and we are trying to live on Larry's SSDI. Our savings have been exhausted.
One of the immediate needs will be eye glasses once Larry's eyesight stabilizes. It is possible he may need some special software or equipment to help him to live with his visual impairment better.
Your donation will help us stay afloat until I get another job.
Our need is urgent.
I (we) cannot adequately thank you enough for considering helping us in this time of need. Any amount will be appreciated. Those who have chronic illness or disability in your family know how hard it is to get by sometimes. This is one of those times for us.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you!
God Bless you!
Larry, Valerie, Allison & Julie
.
Organizer
Valerie D'Apice
Organizer
Meriden, CT