Get Andrew "Tabernak" back on his paws

Hi, my name is Jill C ("jill0r/JILLCOSTUMES") - I'm organizing this Gofundme for my very best friend of almost 15 years - Andrew S aka "Tabernak" as many of his friends know him! We've lived together for about 12 years, now in Seattle WA, and his current medical situation will absolutely become financial hardship and I want to help the best I can.

Andrew is a long haul truck driver by profession. On Tuesday August 10th he fainted in his semi truck cab while on the road (parked! not driving!), alone and 2 hours away from home, hitting his head on his refrigerator. When he came to he was suddenly unable to walk any distance without feeling dangerously lightheaded and dizzy, so he checked himself in to the closest hospital where it was discovered that he has pulmonary embolism (blood clots) in BOTH lungs, making it very hard for him to breathe. The original blood clot likely came up thru his leg, made its way thru his heart, and luckily broke apart in his lungs. If the clot had not fallen apart he could have suffered a severe stroke or even death. Scary stuff!!

He has since been transported from Ellensburg, WA hospital to Spokane, WA - the only hospital in the state with space for him, almost 200 miles away, via a long ambulance ride - for more intensive treatment for his condition. He is currently receiving Altaplase for blood clot removal and is under intense observation in the ICU. The clots have put a LOT of strain on his heart so he needs a lot of care right now. We are hoping he can come back home to Seattle some time after Saturday but it all depends on how he responds to the treatment. As of yesterday he was unable to stand on his own without fainting so this is a critical point in his treatment and healing.

As of right now we have absolutely no idea what this sudden hospital care might cost Andrew out of pocket - he is insured but this stuff is always a terrifying mystery. Several days in the ICU coupled with an HOURS-LONG ambulance ride is going to come back to bite him, we are certain.

His medical predicament leaves his career in uncertainty as well - we don't know if he can continue to drive trucks if he is susceptible to blood clots, if his employer will consider him a liability, or if he will be able to pass his CDL physical in the future (that lets him keep driving)! It'd be awesome if he could have a buffer for likely impending career stress.

Lastly, Andrew was planning a vacation to see his friends, using all of his PTO - it was meant to take place Tuesday the 17th and his only vacation of the year, and now we are prettttty sure that isn't going to happen, haha. Such a bummer after all the Covid quarantine stuff, crappy luck! Recovering some of that expense for another day would cheer him up as well.

Thanks so much for reading. I know that Andrew has many, many friends out there that care for him and we REALLY appreciate all of you. You are all incredible, generous caring folks, thank you so very much for caring about Andrew!!!