The Shepard Family Benefit Fund
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I have started this fund to help the future of my 2 children Connor 8, and Hayley 4. Our lives were changed forever when we found out that my husband of 11 1/2 years passed away unexpectedly. He was 35 years old and was in the best health of his life.
He had battled through so many medical issues and overcome them all. He had a rare scalp disorder called Dissecting Cellulitis of the scalp which is a debilitating disease and there is no cure for it. Howie wouldn't take that for an answer so he went to multiple doctors and finally found one that agreed to remove 90% of his scalp to try to eradicate the disease. He had the initial surgery to remove his scalp in July of 2011 and went through painful bandage changes for 3 weeks before going in for a second surgery to take skin grafts from his legs and put them on his scalp. After being released from the hospital 3 days later he was having a hard time breathing and was brought to the ER and they discovered that he had suffered multiple major pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in his lungs). He was then med flighted to Boston and treated there, where he spent a week in the cardiac ICU. Amazingly he recovered from this and proceeded to improve. After almost losing his life he decided he needed to do something to make a drastic change in his life to ensure he would be there to see our kids grow up. Howie and I decided to have gastric bypass surgery to help us lose weight and start a healthier lifestyle. These surgeries were done in 2012. Howie lost 200 lbs and I lost 180lbs. We were making a change for the better. Howie had been on disability due to his many medical issues but was able to go back to work earlier this year doing what he loved to do cooking. Howie's passions in life were his family and cooking. He was doing great at work and feeling good, eating well and exercising. Then on October 22, Howie unexpectedly passed away. We are unsure why he passed and are hoping to have answers soon. Howie was a devoted husband and father. Our kids were his world, he would have moved heaven and earth for them.
He had battled through so many medical issues and overcome them all. He had a rare scalp disorder called Dissecting Cellulitis of the scalp which is a debilitating disease and there is no cure for it. Howie wouldn't take that for an answer so he went to multiple doctors and finally found one that agreed to remove 90% of his scalp to try to eradicate the disease. He had the initial surgery to remove his scalp in July of 2011 and went through painful bandage changes for 3 weeks before going in for a second surgery to take skin grafts from his legs and put them on his scalp. After being released from the hospital 3 days later he was having a hard time breathing and was brought to the ER and they discovered that he had suffered multiple major pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in his lungs). He was then med flighted to Boston and treated there, where he spent a week in the cardiac ICU. Amazingly he recovered from this and proceeded to improve. After almost losing his life he decided he needed to do something to make a drastic change in his life to ensure he would be there to see our kids grow up. Howie and I decided to have gastric bypass surgery to help us lose weight and start a healthier lifestyle. These surgeries were done in 2012. Howie lost 200 lbs and I lost 180lbs. We were making a change for the better. Howie had been on disability due to his many medical issues but was able to go back to work earlier this year doing what he loved to do cooking. Howie's passions in life were his family and cooking. He was doing great at work and feeling good, eating well and exercising. Then on October 22, Howie unexpectedly passed away. We are unsure why he passed and are hoping to have answers soon. Howie was a devoted husband and father. Our kids were his world, he would have moved heaven and earth for them.
Organizer
Christine Shepard
Organizer
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