Donation protected
This is my husband Don, he just turned 52. We have been married almost 20 years. He is the most amazing husband, father, brother, boss, and friend a person could have. His employees will tell you he is one of the most patient and understanding people they know. Don is an incredible father to a healthy 4 year old girl and a 9 year old boy who has been diagnosed with a rare genetic condition. Don is a very devoted father and has always played an active role in caring for our children. He volunteers in their school and he helps with his son’s physical and occupational therapy appointments. He is the rock of our family. We need him.
On September 4, 2014, Don’s health changed and our lives have been in turmoil ever since. Over the past 4 months, Don has needed to be hospitalized over 8 times. Three of the stays have been in ICU, each stay is several days to several weeks at a time. We have been to Cleveland clinic, the Mayo Clinic (multiple times), his primary care physician, and multiple local subspecialists trying to understand his severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugars). Prior to these events, Don was a Type II diabetic. The goal was to fight off high blood sugars, not low blood sugars. Unfortunately no one has any answers for what is happening to my husband. He can no longer eat by mouth and has to be tube fed 24/7 to maintain his blood sugars. As of today he has lost 83 pounds.
Despite how sick he is, Don still tries to work whenever he can. He doesn’t have any short or long term disability insurance; if he is unable to work, he doesn’t get paid. We are fortunate to have health insurance, but we are maxing out our co-pays. I try to work full time, but I do not make enough to cover all of our expenses. I have had to use unpaid FMLA to take time off to care for him. Our loss in income means we are drowning in bills. Being a new year, our insurance deductibles and our co-pays have gone up.
I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Don continues to lose weight. I am petrified that he may die before they figure out what is going on. I am trying to work, advocate for him and take care of the kids. I am running out of strength. I can’t lose hope, because if I do, this all falls apart. As a wife, it’s incredibly frustrating when you can’t help the one you love.
I know there is a diagnosis for what is happening to Don. Obviously, it is not a routine diagnosis, and is going to require further testing and perseverance. Insurance companies are reluctant to authorize tests without a diagnosis. We cannot get a diagnosis without further tests. He is too sick to fight for himself. Sometimes he wonders if he should give up. He is my soul mate. Neither he nor I can give up. He has to get better. We have children to raise.
Any help is deeply appreciated.
Jody
On September 4, 2014, Don’s health changed and our lives have been in turmoil ever since. Over the past 4 months, Don has needed to be hospitalized over 8 times. Three of the stays have been in ICU, each stay is several days to several weeks at a time. We have been to Cleveland clinic, the Mayo Clinic (multiple times), his primary care physician, and multiple local subspecialists trying to understand his severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugars). Prior to these events, Don was a Type II diabetic. The goal was to fight off high blood sugars, not low blood sugars. Unfortunately no one has any answers for what is happening to my husband. He can no longer eat by mouth and has to be tube fed 24/7 to maintain his blood sugars. As of today he has lost 83 pounds.
Despite how sick he is, Don still tries to work whenever he can. He doesn’t have any short or long term disability insurance; if he is unable to work, he doesn’t get paid. We are fortunate to have health insurance, but we are maxing out our co-pays. I try to work full time, but I do not make enough to cover all of our expenses. I have had to use unpaid FMLA to take time off to care for him. Our loss in income means we are drowning in bills. Being a new year, our insurance deductibles and our co-pays have gone up.
I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Don continues to lose weight. I am petrified that he may die before they figure out what is going on. I am trying to work, advocate for him and take care of the kids. I am running out of strength. I can’t lose hope, because if I do, this all falls apart. As a wife, it’s incredibly frustrating when you can’t help the one you love.
I know there is a diagnosis for what is happening to Don. Obviously, it is not a routine diagnosis, and is going to require further testing and perseverance. Insurance companies are reluctant to authorize tests without a diagnosis. We cannot get a diagnosis without further tests. He is too sick to fight for himself. Sometimes he wonders if he should give up. He is my soul mate. Neither he nor I can give up. He has to get better. We have children to raise.
Any help is deeply appreciated.
Jody
Organizer
Silver Bullet Firearms & Training Center
Organizer
Grand Rapids, MI