Larry and Rhonda Palchinski, long-time residents of Dawson Creek, have been navigating a significant health scare with my father being hospitalized for nearly a month now. Initially, he was in hospital after breaking his hip, but as things changed he was then medivacked from DC to Prince George for critical kidney care, due to growing edema in his lower body, up into his abdomen. 

After a week's worth of treatment and testing, dad has been diagnosed with advanced chronic kidney disease and congestive heart failure.  This news requires him to remain in Prince George where doctors continue trying to stabilize him. As you can imagine, the diagnosis has been absolutely heartbreaking for my mom and family. This past weekend on Feb 25th, doctors informed my parents that dad will need to begin dialysis.

This is going to be a longer medical journey than my parents have ever experienced before, so I am writing with hope that their friends, family and community can come together to provide some assistance to ease financial burdens as they learn more about dads prognosis. 

All funds raised will go directly towards mom's growing expenses: bills, fuel for travel, extending accommodations in PG, food and other necessities. 

Please read below for more context on their evolving situation.  Thank you so much for your ongoing prayers and support. 

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The initial worry began when dad fell outside and broke his hip while putting the dog out for a pee. He was taken to hospital and transferred to FSJ for hip surgery the following morning. He was back in DC hospital to recover all within 48 hours.  

For the next week he was on the mend and doing ok, but slowly his health began to take a turn as he was experiencing seemingly unrelated complications.  His blood sugar dropped, his blood pressure rised, and his lower body began to swell with fluid from his feet all the way up to his groin and tummy. The DC doctors were unable to treat the cause of swelling and became concerned for his heart health. 

On February 15th, he was medivacked to the University Hospital in Prince George because his kidneys and heart were in distress.  The doctors ran him through numerous tests to determine why his kidneys were not doing their job. Three days later, February 18th, on my parents anniversary, is when we learned that dad has been diagnosed with advanced kidney disease and congestive heart failure  

They've since completed a kidney biopsy and we are waiting on results to determine the exact degree of damage. However, the swelling in his body continues to jeopardize his health and the IV meds are not working the way doctors anticipated. After receiving two blood transfusions over the weekend, Mom and dad were notified on Feb 25th, that the doctors need to move forward with more aggressive treatment and will begin him on dialysis today, February 28th. 

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Between my mom & sister, Donna Taylor, they have been able to be in PG with him through it all so far. My mom had to leave everything to be with him bedside. My mom works very hard day and night to make ends meet for her and dad. However she has been unable to continue working while caring for him. 

You may know her from Bear Mountain Ski Hill, Friday steak nights, the lunch lady at the concession stand selling her famous poutine, bannock and cinnamon buns, or maybe you've stopped by Rockwells for one of her homemade meals, or a loaf of fresh baked bread. 

My dad is a warm-hearted, loving husband, easygoing jokester, family-centered man, known for lending a helping hand to anyone in need. He is scared and terribly sad, and desperately just wants to come home.  It is so difficult to see him in so much physical and emotional pain. 

Please, if you can find a way to donate or share this message with others my parents we will be forever grateful for your kindness and consideration.