Eric Coulam Transplant fund

This is incredibly hard to process and put thoughts down for something I never thought imaginable.

Our son Eric Coulam was a regular 18year old, living his life to the fullest! He coached hockey, rode dirt bikes, trekked into the bush camping, hung out with friends and liked to work on engines! Eric graduated high school early and perused his goal of becoming a heavy duty mechanic by starting his level 1 apprenticeship in college.
Last October Eric’s health began to decline, he spent numerous hours waiting in drs offices and emergency rooms trying to find answers as to why he was so sick. Eric was admitted to hospital at the beginning of March, and has remained in hospital since. Northern Health failed to diagnose a serious medical issue which in turn resulted in his bowel twisting, rupturing and emergency surgery in Dawson creek. From March 30 to April 05 Eric was in a medically induced coma in Grande Prairie ICU, where he underwent multiple surgeries to try and save his small bowel. Unfortunately, the damage being so severe his bowels could not function, it was determined IV nutrition (TPN) was the only option to nutritionally support his body. On April 15, Eric was transferred to a gastrointestinal specialist in Edmonton where he could receive specialized medical treatment. After months of multiple scans, tests, blood transfusions, continuous antibiotics, and a decision that his body was not accepting the TPN as nutrition it was decided another major surgery was to take place. During this surgery, July 08, Eric’s small bowel needed to be removed, and a transplant being his only option. The transplant consult has determined he is in need of a multiviceral transplant, which includes his liver, kidneys,pancreas and small bowel. This is a very rare transplant and as with any holds many variables.
We as a family are living through pain and heartbreak as we watch our son/brother/grandchild/cousin/nephew endure his greatest challenge in life so far from home, away from family, friends and loved ones. We have been travelling back and forth from FSJ and AB for the last five months, staying with family two hours from the city and as often as possible in hotels in the city to be close to him. Eric’s dad has been working tirelessly to maintain our finances, as well as, travelling back and forth to Edmonton for visits. Eric also has two little brothers who miss him and don’t fully understand the emotional aspects of all going on.
Not only is Eric going through this nightmare, he has also just turned 19... imagine spending your 19th birthday in the hospital. There is not one person who could fathom what he is dealing with emotionally.
We are faced with the reality that we cannot do this alone. We need help. Not only is the financial burden catching up to us, we need to look towards the future and the medical costs associated with transplant. Eric will need to be on very expensive immunosuppressive drugs for the rest of his life. Though we do have extended medical, this will only cover so much. Eric will also need to be within distance of the transplant centre in Edmonton for a minimum of 3 months post transplant.
Anyone who knows Eric, knows what a wonderful, kind hearted and intelligent human being he is, and what a promising future he had going for himself. The past six months have been absolutely devastating, to watch a strong, healthy teenager transform into an unrecognizeable shell of his former self is beyond heartbreaking.