Mel's Road to Recovery

Hello! Many of you may know me, but my name is James Rempel, and my family and I are fundraising on behalf of my wife, Melody Rempel.

On May 5th, she underwent transplant surgery and emerged with a functional kidney and Pancreas, effectively eliminating her diabetes immediately, and restoring kidney function which had been hovering around 10% and decreasing.

Thankfully, the kidney transplant went well, and we were able to move Mel out of the hospital on May 13th.

It has been a series of hard days with the occasional easier day mixed into things. Nausea is prevalent and has led to a return to the hospital on May 15th, after a day of vomiting, and an inability to keep medication down. A nasogastric tube has helped somewhat, along with adjustments to medication, and on May 26th, she was re-released from the hospital to resume recovery.

Speaking of medication, Mel takes around 20 pills 2-3 times a day. Many of these medications are covered, but some are not. The medication Mel is taking costs around $2700 a month, much of that is covered by pharma care but that is still leaving us paying $750 for medication. Some of the medications Mel will be on for the rest of her life, but as Mel recovers (over the next 6 months) dosage will go down, and some drugs will not be required at all.

Neither Mel or I are currently working, and while we have done what we could to plan and prepare for this period of unanticipated expenses and nonexistent income, it has become abundantly clear that more is needed. I will be seeking part-time employment as soon as Mel does not require a 24/7 caregiver, and Mel’s lovely mother is doing what she can to assist with caregiving, but that is why we are turning to our friends, family and community in our time of need to help support Mel’s recovery. We greatly appreciate any contributions you can make.

All funds raised will go to supporting Mel’s recovery and medication costs.

We will continue to update you on progress as it develops, and thank you so much for keeping us in your prayers and thoughts.