My name is Jessica I am 1 out of 5 of Genes children, we are hoping to raise enough money here to cover our dads medical bills, housing, transportation and food during this tough time to take the stress off of him. This past week our father has spent the week getting testing done on his lungs, yesterday we got the news that he has been put on the double lung transplant list and the doctors are estimating him to have the surgery in the next 4-6 weeks. When he has the transplant he has to stay in St. Louis which is 4 hours away from his home for 3 months straight with a caretaker with him 100% of the time which my sister, my aunt and I will all be taking turns caring for him. This is where your help comes in hand. The housing, food, and gas money is sure to add up quickly and not something my dad can do on his own on top of the medical bills. We can’t put into words how thankful we are for any bit of help you can provide.
His health story…
More than 20 years ago he was diagnosed with a lung disease called emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease also know as COPD and breathing has been difficult and he is 90% of the time on Oxygen with these last few months being on the oxygen 100% of the time as it’s gotten much harder for him to breathe. 12 years ago he had a lung collapse and had to have surgery and part of his lung removed and shortly after he had a second lung collapse. And today his lungs only work at 13% and the doctors said they don’t have much life left in them and probably wouldn’t make it past this summer. It’s time for the double lung transplant.
His life..
Gene has 5 children. Carmela, Richard, Jason, Jessica and Christian. He also has 13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. In all of their life they haven’t had the Papa that I know my dad wants for them. He wants to get down and play with them, he wants to do silly things and join in on activities at gatherings with them. He wants to for the first time be able to go to the zoo with his grandchildren and be able to actually enjoy the day without struggling to breathe. He is very excited to have a new set of lungs to enjoy life longer. That also comes with a lot of nerves and emotions that a transplant brings. But I know that him not having to worry about finances will take a load off of his shoulders. We truly truly do appreciate everything. He is our world.