I'm not really big on this type thing; needing or asking for help, especially funds. I wish I would have put an actual fund raiser together sooner, but this year has been pretty hectic to say the least & I always thought "I got more time, I'll put something together next week". I would have really liked to have come up with a cool t-shirt design or my favorite jewelry (silicone wristbands).

Any who... I know most of you that actually know me, know I usually joke about everything. Most of my facebook posts are just to have fun & or stir the pot. I don't put much of "me" out there & I definitely don't get into my personal life on social media.

Well, here goes... I was diagnosed with liver disease & liver cancer (HCC) in 2021. Since that time, I have had a few different treatments to try to contain the cancer until I could be listed & receive a liver transplant. In October of 2024 I was listed by UNOS in region 4 (Oklahoma & Texas) at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. I have since been listed by UNOS in region 11 (Tennessee, Kentucky, N. & S. Carolina, Southern Ohio, & Virginia) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center by the Nashville VA Medical Center. This past Saturday April 5, 2025, I hit my six-month listing mark in region 4 & receive a MELD exception score due to me having HCC.

At approximately 1130 this morning (04-07-2025) I received a call from my transplant coordinator at Integris in OKC, informing me that they had found a donor match for me. Once the other possible recipients of the other organs have been identified & contacted, they will begin the process of harvesting the organs. It could take a couple days before I hear anything else. It is even possible they could decide the liver is not exactly what they want for me once they see it, & it is also possible that I could get a call to come in for a transplant & them deciding the liver isn't right for me for whatever reason. As it stands right now, I have to be ready to go at any time; I have 30 minutes to be on the road once they call me & tell me to report for transplant. Needless to say, things have gotten real, really quick & my ability to joke has been hindered somewhat.

Luckily the VA covers all my medical expenses & medication. What is not covered is the "care" of those caring for me. I found out pretty quick about ten years ago when my mom received her transplant, that food, gas, and basic necessities add up pretty quick when you're miles from home. When we were helping take care of my mom it was difficult at times & things got tight, & I was an adult with a good job. My kids are much younger than I was & in a little bit different situation. My oldest two have just started their families in the past few years & my youngest is in his senior year in high school still. I also have great friends & other family members that will be taking care of me 24/7 for the unforeseeable future.

My goal of fund raising is to ease the financial burden to those that will be caring for me. Just a few of the expenses I can think of right off the top of my head that will be incurred by those taking care of me are: missed work, food, gas, & possible lodging. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me. I will make every effort to respond as quickly as possible over the next few days, weeks, & months.

Thank you all so very much - Heath