A Time of Courage and Faith

Imagine… As you’re going through life’s daily experiences: talking, laughing, eating, sleeping, etc.… at your doctor’s visit he quite unexpectedly gives you the diagnosis your kidneys have failed. And, then six months later, imagine you’re given the diagnosis you have Multiple Myeloma Cancer. One condition is life altering; but having them both is overwhelming! An unimaginable numbness, shock and despair began to overcome me. I realized I needed the advice of a medically trained physician. I met with Dr. Jahagirdar and his team at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN. “Five years earlier there would be no treatment for someone like me”, he said. We consulted about this ‘risky treatment’ and my consent was granted. I wanted to live!

By His grace and mercy, He is still blessing me. First, by the love and prayers from family and friends. Second, I have been in remission and cancer free for 5+ years. And third, I have progressed from PD Dialysis to Hemo Dialysis -- performing daily, in-home treatments, with help from my spouse. Only 10% of dialysis patients are equipped and granted to perform this in-home care. I am one of the few lucky ones.

My family’s support is very important to me. I appreciate the counsel given by maternal and paternal grandparents while parents were attending to hospital patients or on military assignments. As a proud member of the US Marine Corps, echoing in my ears are constant words of wisdom spoken by my many military professional family members: (US Air Force - father/deceased; US Navy - uncle/deceased; US Army - younger brother/deceased). Emotional support from siblings was invaluable during the passing of mother and brother as I spiraled through countless surgeries and multiple biopsies. But, in July 2018, with much gratefulness, we celebrated my first successful bone marrow transplant.

I want to live! Won’t you help me in this journey of my ‘rebirth’ by financially supporting the after-surgery costs associated with my kidney transplant? These costs are not covered by my insurance and include such items as living transplant facility housing, aftercare recovery, medications, travel and other incidental expenses. If there are any unused donations, they will be gifted to Whatcom Humane Society, 2172 Division St., Bellingham, WA 98226.

Thank you for your attention, kindness, and willingness to give to my cause.