Get Don Chillin' and Grillin'
Donation protected
My dear friends, Don and Lisa Faris, have spent 48 of the last 57 days in the hospital that have included four stays in the Intensive Care Unit. Don was diagnosed with Necrotizing Pancreatitis caused by gall bladder sludge/stones and now has a feeding tube, multiple drains and faces atleast two more surgeries. This is a very serious and life-threatening disease that can take six months to a year to recover. The money raised will help ease the financial burden of Don’s medical bills and their reduced income. Lisa is Don’s 24/7 caregiver and advocate. She is now limited in her ability to work and there is no assurance that Don will return to full-time work in the foreseeable future.
THE DETAILED STORY:
On Friday, May 18th 2018, Lisa, Don and their son, Bobby, were relaxing on their deck and trying to unwind after a busy day. Don's deck is a beautiful place of respite, reflection and love, and a place where friends and family can gather and share in the love of good food, great football, the gift of treasured friendships and the precious memories of family...especially Don and Lisa's gorgeous daughter Emily, who ran ahead to Heaven two years ago. Don loves time spent on his deck and lovingly calls it "Chillin' and Grillin'" time, welcoming everyone near and far to join him for conversation and great food. This brings him much peace.
Unfortunately, this particular Friday evening's deck Chillin' did not go as Don planned. He suffered from severe GI pain and vomitting. They thought it was a stomach virus and would pass. Lisa ended up taking him to the ER in Rock Hill the next morning. He was rushed to the ICU immediately. At the ER, Lisa and Don were told that he had suffered from an attack of pancreatitis that resulted in necrosis. The medical staff kept stating that Don was “very sick” and but they didn’t fully realize he was in danger of losing his life.
The following day, May 20th, Don was transferred by medi-vac ambulance to ICU at CMC Main in Charlotte. He remained in the ICU for six days flooded by medical professionals and their opinions. He had multiple organ failure on top of the necrotizing pancreatitis. Lisa and Don had no idea just how complicated his condition was, what his body was about to endure, nor the ride they were about to embark on! To say that they've been on a roller coaster since May 19th is an understatement!!
As I let you in on some of what my precious friends have been through, I want to praise them both for their beautiful example of unwavering faith! Never once in reading any of Lisa's Facebook posts did she say "God, take this away." Never did Don say, "Why me?" They only requested prayers of strength, wisdom, protection and for the ability to share their daughter's story and the AMAZING love of Jesus with the hospital staff!! The two of them did not give up on their God. As Lisa spent night after night either in the hospital, the hospitality house, or up all night in the ER caring for her husband of 28 years, she never stopped praying.
Don's journey has been long and arduous. It has been overwhelming. Just when they seemed to receive good news, they would be blindsided with worse news. As a lifelong friend, sitting on the outside, praying day and night just didn't seem like enough! I knew I could not be the only one watching their story unfold and wanting to do something "tangible" to help. Obviously Don is unable to work, as he was in the hospital, but Lisa too, is unable to work as Don's condition requires more care and support than what the hospital could provide for him.
Since entering the hospital Don has had four stays in the UCU, three surgeries, an embolization of the main artery to the pancreas, an accordion drain placed to drain a pancreatic pseudo cyst, a feeding tube placed for nourishment and a stomach drain. On July 3rd, the feeding tube clogged, causing severe dehydration and a whirlwind of physical setbacks and emotions. Going without nutrition for 52 hours was the "perfect storm" that landed Don right back in the hospital on the HPB floor, and in the care of the beloved Dr. V.
I have to believe that God had his hand in this. Dr. V has been a godsend to the Faris family. He has told them that they can expect repeated hospitalizations before Don is fully recovered. My prayer is that whatever is truly best for both Don and Lisa is what God will allow to happen. These two precious people have been through way too much and have asked for nothing in return. I pray that you will be in prayer for this family along with me. I know they covet your prayers.
I also ask you to consider giving a gift of any amount to help offset the huge financial burden that this diagnosis and experience has placed on this family. I know they'd be eternally grateful. Don's life was thankfully spared, as necrotizing pancreatitis is extremely dangerous, but his story is not over. The journey is still a long one, with more surgeries ahead, and an extensive list of care.
My desire with this gofundme campaign is to ease the load just a bit so Don can heal and Lisa can just be at her husband's side without financial worry. Any money raised over their financial needs will be used to “pay-it-forward” for another family in need.
Thank you!! With love and blessings,
Beth Fowler Diggs
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10
THE DETAILED STORY:
On Friday, May 18th 2018, Lisa, Don and their son, Bobby, were relaxing on their deck and trying to unwind after a busy day. Don's deck is a beautiful place of respite, reflection and love, and a place where friends and family can gather and share in the love of good food, great football, the gift of treasured friendships and the precious memories of family...especially Don and Lisa's gorgeous daughter Emily, who ran ahead to Heaven two years ago. Don loves time spent on his deck and lovingly calls it "Chillin' and Grillin'" time, welcoming everyone near and far to join him for conversation and great food. This brings him much peace.
Unfortunately, this particular Friday evening's deck Chillin' did not go as Don planned. He suffered from severe GI pain and vomitting. They thought it was a stomach virus and would pass. Lisa ended up taking him to the ER in Rock Hill the next morning. He was rushed to the ICU immediately. At the ER, Lisa and Don were told that he had suffered from an attack of pancreatitis that resulted in necrosis. The medical staff kept stating that Don was “very sick” and but they didn’t fully realize he was in danger of losing his life.
The following day, May 20th, Don was transferred by medi-vac ambulance to ICU at CMC Main in Charlotte. He remained in the ICU for six days flooded by medical professionals and their opinions. He had multiple organ failure on top of the necrotizing pancreatitis. Lisa and Don had no idea just how complicated his condition was, what his body was about to endure, nor the ride they were about to embark on! To say that they've been on a roller coaster since May 19th is an understatement!!
As I let you in on some of what my precious friends have been through, I want to praise them both for their beautiful example of unwavering faith! Never once in reading any of Lisa's Facebook posts did she say "God, take this away." Never did Don say, "Why me?" They only requested prayers of strength, wisdom, protection and for the ability to share their daughter's story and the AMAZING love of Jesus with the hospital staff!! The two of them did not give up on their God. As Lisa spent night after night either in the hospital, the hospitality house, or up all night in the ER caring for her husband of 28 years, she never stopped praying.
Don's journey has been long and arduous. It has been overwhelming. Just when they seemed to receive good news, they would be blindsided with worse news. As a lifelong friend, sitting on the outside, praying day and night just didn't seem like enough! I knew I could not be the only one watching their story unfold and wanting to do something "tangible" to help. Obviously Don is unable to work, as he was in the hospital, but Lisa too, is unable to work as Don's condition requires more care and support than what the hospital could provide for him.
Since entering the hospital Don has had four stays in the UCU, three surgeries, an embolization of the main artery to the pancreas, an accordion drain placed to drain a pancreatic pseudo cyst, a feeding tube placed for nourishment and a stomach drain. On July 3rd, the feeding tube clogged, causing severe dehydration and a whirlwind of physical setbacks and emotions. Going without nutrition for 52 hours was the "perfect storm" that landed Don right back in the hospital on the HPB floor, and in the care of the beloved Dr. V.
I have to believe that God had his hand in this. Dr. V has been a godsend to the Faris family. He has told them that they can expect repeated hospitalizations before Don is fully recovered. My prayer is that whatever is truly best for both Don and Lisa is what God will allow to happen. These two precious people have been through way too much and have asked for nothing in return. I pray that you will be in prayer for this family along with me. I know they covet your prayers.
I also ask you to consider giving a gift of any amount to help offset the huge financial burden that this diagnosis and experience has placed on this family. I know they'd be eternally grateful. Don's life was thankfully spared, as necrotizing pancreatitis is extremely dangerous, but his story is not over. The journey is still a long one, with more surgeries ahead, and an extensive list of care.
My desire with this gofundme campaign is to ease the load just a bit so Don can heal and Lisa can just be at her husband's side without financial worry. Any money raised over their financial needs will be used to “pay-it-forward” for another family in need.
Thank you!! With love and blessings,
Beth Fowler Diggs
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10
Organizer and beneficiary
Beth Fowler Diggs
Organizer
Rock Hill, SC
Elizabeth Faris
Beneficiary