Drew and Vicki Dederich
Donation protected
When Drew was 23 he was diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis. Over the course of yrs he was given different therapies for them. One if the drugs he was given for 20 yrs was methotrexate. It is what caused the deterioration of his lungs.
Seven years ago he started becoming short of breath. After exhausting avenues with his pulmonologist here, Drew went to Mayo clinic. They helped him get healthier and off drugs his pulmonologist had prescribed but would allow for a transplant, the only thing that could save his life. In his quest, he was turned down by Froedert, Mayo and University of Chicago hospital. Turned down for the very thing that got him there his rheumatoid arthritis. Finally Loyola University Hospital said he could start the process, no guarantees, despite his high risk.
In May of 2016, Drew started testing. After each testing determinations were made if he could go to the next step. Meanwhile he got sicker. On Oct 3 we headed back to Loyola for what would have been his last two days of testing. We didn't come home. Because he was unable to breathe deeply he began to retain carbon dioxide which is usually expelled when you breathe out. He was listed on Oct 4 with a score of 78.5. Las scores are used to determine where a person falls on the transplant list. 0 not sick enough 100 to sick.
He remained in icu for 26 days and received a single lung transplant.
Because he was so sick when he got to Loyola, the chance of complications is greater. Drew was released initially from Loyola Dec 20. He has had five surgeries since his lung surgery and has been hospitalized 6 times since January. He is on the upswing now but it is still a long road.
Medical bills are in the millions but thankfully insurance is covering most but still leaving thousands in co pays. Vickie had to stay in Illinois for the entire time he has been hospitalized. Her hotel bills are over 10,000 with a discount. Meds copays are as high as 500.00 for one med a month.
Drew was active at church taking groups if kids on mission trips doing 27 mission trips in 15 yrs
He also spent a number of yrs doing charity work for the Knights of Columbus.
His motto " make someone smile daily"
Seven years ago he started becoming short of breath. After exhausting avenues with his pulmonologist here, Drew went to Mayo clinic. They helped him get healthier and off drugs his pulmonologist had prescribed but would allow for a transplant, the only thing that could save his life. In his quest, he was turned down by Froedert, Mayo and University of Chicago hospital. Turned down for the very thing that got him there his rheumatoid arthritis. Finally Loyola University Hospital said he could start the process, no guarantees, despite his high risk.
In May of 2016, Drew started testing. After each testing determinations were made if he could go to the next step. Meanwhile he got sicker. On Oct 3 we headed back to Loyola for what would have been his last two days of testing. We didn't come home. Because he was unable to breathe deeply he began to retain carbon dioxide which is usually expelled when you breathe out. He was listed on Oct 4 with a score of 78.5. Las scores are used to determine where a person falls on the transplant list. 0 not sick enough 100 to sick.
He remained in icu for 26 days and received a single lung transplant.
Because he was so sick when he got to Loyola, the chance of complications is greater. Drew was released initially from Loyola Dec 20. He has had five surgeries since his lung surgery and has been hospitalized 6 times since January. He is on the upswing now but it is still a long road.
Medical bills are in the millions but thankfully insurance is covering most but still leaving thousands in co pays. Vickie had to stay in Illinois for the entire time he has been hospitalized. Her hotel bills are over 10,000 with a discount. Meds copays are as high as 500.00 for one med a month.
Drew was active at church taking groups if kids on mission trips doing 27 mission trips in 15 yrs
He also spent a number of yrs doing charity work for the Knights of Columbus.
His motto " make someone smile daily"
Organizer and beneficiary
Ann Oelerich
Organizer
Menomonee Falls, WI
Drew Dederich
Beneficiary
