Jerry Craig's Double Lung Transplant
Donation protected
Jerry Craig, a Grandad, Dad, a military veteran, community volunteer (firefighter, ElderDogs, and countless other things) needs a double lung transplant because of IPF.
I never thought that I would turn 73 and have only two choices to make – either let my lung disease kill me or get a life-changing lung transplant.
It's come down to that and I know which my choice is.
A great article in The Star (thank you for sharing Dad's story) about Jerry's Christmas wish for new lungs :)
Five years ago came the diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis or IPF, which is a disease that causes scarring of the lungs and stops air from getting in and out.
The only cure is a double lung transplant. The closest place to get that done is Toronto. One of the biggest challenges is actually the cost of having to be in Toronto – waiting for the lungs, getting the transplant done, and then recovering. Plus keeping our house in Dartmouth and having someone look after our dogs.
Some of the costs are covered. Many are not. Our estimate is that it will cost us $35,000.
This GoFundMe goal for this campaign is a way for us to try to make our savings stretch to cover our costs.
My family and career and volunteer activities…
Vickie and I have been married for 52 years and she is a loving, strong and determined partner who looks after me so well. We have our son James, our daughter-in-law Cathy and grandchildren Owen and Emily. Also I have my sister Gillian and her family who are very close to us. Lots of good friends and neighbours too, so we have lots of loving support that way.
25 years were spent in the Canadian Armed Forces, 1964 to1989, then worked for the next 26 in his occupation as a dental hygienist. He Loved both the time in the forces and in private practice, and hoped that when we retired it would be a normal transition. Apart from the IPF it has been, but this unwelcome intrusion on my life and of those close to me, has really thrown a monkey wrench in the works.
We have lived in many areas of Canada and Europe throughout my career. We consider Nova Scotia and Barrie, Ontario the places that we felt most at home. Jerry served as a volunteer firefighter in Smith’s Cove, Nova Scotia. Jerry has been helping for many years with ElderDog Canada --- dedicated to ageing people, ageing dogs, and the important connection they enjoy. Jerry actually received the Maritimer of the Week for his volunteer work with Elderdogs.
What’s it like living with this disease…
After a time breathing becomes really difficult after even the littlest exercise literally leaving me breathless. It is only helped by using oxygen at home or when out somewhere. Jerry is on it all night and much of the day which kinds of restricts things.
There are no cures for IPF and neither of the two drugs used to slow down the disease have worked; actually they made him worse in many ways. I haven't spent as much time on the throne as Queen Elizabeth, but chronic trots can keep you seated for quite a while. Losing weight and appetite, night sweats, extreme tiredness, they were all there while on the meds. Since April and being taken off the med, my appetite has increased and I've gained weight, though the night sweats are still happening but not as much. The tiredness goes with the disease so naps and a good night's sleep help, but the disease is progressing in a downward direction.
Why this particular disease hit me I've no idea…
Never smoked, never done drugs, or knowingly worked in an environment that could harm me. (The Idiopathic part means “don't know what caused it!”). Doesn't really matter as the problem is here and now and needs some kind of resolution.
The actual transplant…
Only one that works is transplantation of donor lungs. It's a complex, difficult and chancy operation and is only done after extensive tests to make sure that the patient is fit enough to have the transplant. That's happening now and there are more tests to come. Sure hope that the conclusion of the transplant staff is that I'm a suitable candidate.
All of the lung transplants in Atlantic Canada are performed in the Transplant Unit at Toronto General Hospital , which is a world-renowned facility and anyone lucky enough to be treated there is in good hands.
When it comes to the nitty-gritty, finances stand out as a major concern for those of us getting a lung transplant. The Province is very good and helps out through MSI, the costs of transport to and from Toronto, and accommodations there. Drugs are covered in part or entirely through the Pharmacare program.
We have to be prepared to remain in Toronto until a lung transplant happens and after that for several months for rehab. In the meantime we have to maintain our home here in Dartmouth, pay the utilities and tax, and hire people to do things like grounds maintenance, snow clearing, and checking the house. There's also the costs of meals and rides in Toronto, paying for drugs not covered by any agency (and there's a whole load of those needed for anti-rejection after the operation).
Our savings only go so far and that's why we are looking at crowd-funding to help us out. Any money not needed by us will be passed on to a fund which will help out others with medical needs. Cost should never be a barrier to getting medical care.
Your gift will help us enjoy more times with my family for now and into the future.
Thanks so much. We will let everyone know how things are progressing.
I never thought that I would turn 73 and have only two choices to make – either let my lung disease kill me or get a life-changing lung transplant.
It's come down to that and I know which my choice is.
A great article in The Star (thank you for sharing Dad's story) about Jerry's Christmas wish for new lungs :)
Five years ago came the diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis or IPF, which is a disease that causes scarring of the lungs and stops air from getting in and out.
The only cure is a double lung transplant. The closest place to get that done is Toronto. One of the biggest challenges is actually the cost of having to be in Toronto – waiting for the lungs, getting the transplant done, and then recovering. Plus keeping our house in Dartmouth and having someone look after our dogs.
Some of the costs are covered. Many are not. Our estimate is that it will cost us $35,000.
This GoFundMe goal for this campaign is a way for us to try to make our savings stretch to cover our costs.
My family and career and volunteer activities…
Vickie and I have been married for 52 years and she is a loving, strong and determined partner who looks after me so well. We have our son James, our daughter-in-law Cathy and grandchildren Owen and Emily. Also I have my sister Gillian and her family who are very close to us. Lots of good friends and neighbours too, so we have lots of loving support that way.
25 years were spent in the Canadian Armed Forces, 1964 to1989, then worked for the next 26 in his occupation as a dental hygienist. He Loved both the time in the forces and in private practice, and hoped that when we retired it would be a normal transition. Apart from the IPF it has been, but this unwelcome intrusion on my life and of those close to me, has really thrown a monkey wrench in the works.
We have lived in many areas of Canada and Europe throughout my career. We consider Nova Scotia and Barrie, Ontario the places that we felt most at home. Jerry served as a volunteer firefighter in Smith’s Cove, Nova Scotia. Jerry has been helping for many years with ElderDog Canada --- dedicated to ageing people, ageing dogs, and the important connection they enjoy. Jerry actually received the Maritimer of the Week for his volunteer work with Elderdogs.
What’s it like living with this disease…
After a time breathing becomes really difficult after even the littlest exercise literally leaving me breathless. It is only helped by using oxygen at home or when out somewhere. Jerry is on it all night and much of the day which kinds of restricts things.
There are no cures for IPF and neither of the two drugs used to slow down the disease have worked; actually they made him worse in many ways. I haven't spent as much time on the throne as Queen Elizabeth, but chronic trots can keep you seated for quite a while. Losing weight and appetite, night sweats, extreme tiredness, they were all there while on the meds. Since April and being taken off the med, my appetite has increased and I've gained weight, though the night sweats are still happening but not as much. The tiredness goes with the disease so naps and a good night's sleep help, but the disease is progressing in a downward direction.
Why this particular disease hit me I've no idea…
Never smoked, never done drugs, or knowingly worked in an environment that could harm me. (The Idiopathic part means “don't know what caused it!”). Doesn't really matter as the problem is here and now and needs some kind of resolution.
The actual transplant…
Only one that works is transplantation of donor lungs. It's a complex, difficult and chancy operation and is only done after extensive tests to make sure that the patient is fit enough to have the transplant. That's happening now and there are more tests to come. Sure hope that the conclusion of the transplant staff is that I'm a suitable candidate.
All of the lung transplants in Atlantic Canada are performed in the Transplant Unit at Toronto General Hospital , which is a world-renowned facility and anyone lucky enough to be treated there is in good hands.
When it comes to the nitty-gritty, finances stand out as a major concern for those of us getting a lung transplant. The Province is very good and helps out through MSI, the costs of transport to and from Toronto, and accommodations there. Drugs are covered in part or entirely through the Pharmacare program.
We have to be prepared to remain in Toronto until a lung transplant happens and after that for several months for rehab. In the meantime we have to maintain our home here in Dartmouth, pay the utilities and tax, and hire people to do things like grounds maintenance, snow clearing, and checking the house. There's also the costs of meals and rides in Toronto, paying for drugs not covered by any agency (and there's a whole load of those needed for anti-rejection after the operation).
Our savings only go so far and that's why we are looking at crowd-funding to help us out. Any money not needed by us will be passed on to a fund which will help out others with medical needs. Cost should never be a barrier to getting medical care.
Your gift will help us enjoy more times with my family for now and into the future.
Thanks so much. We will let everyone know how things are progressing.
Organizer
James Craig
Organizer
Dartmouth, NS
