"Bruce Tyler's Miracle to Breathe"
Donation protected
FRIENDS FOREVER
My name is Sherry Leonard and I wanted to start this Go-Fund-Me page for a dear friend, "Bruce Tyler". He is currently on the waiting list for a Double Lung Transplant. My family and I met him and his wife, Tina, about 14 years ago at Kerr lake. We immediately became great friends and have enjoyed every minute of our friendship since.
FAMILY
Bruce and Tina have been married for 41 years. They have a daughter, Tracy, which has gave them 4 wonderful and energetic grandbabies. The oldest is Madison 5, then Harper 3 and 10 month old twins, Corbin and Leah. They are very much the apple of grandpa’s eye!
THE JOURNEY
Bruce was diagnosed with IPF (IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY FIBROSIS) in 2016 after his 2nd rotator cuff surgery. The doctors seem to think the IPF surfaced from the nerve block medication they gave him during surgery. It temporary paralyzed part of his lung. He had difficulty breathing after the surgery. So test were done to determine that he did have IPF.
THE 2ND ATTACKER
About a year into his journey with IPF, Bruce was diagnosed with COPD. At this point he had 2 things attacking his lungs and making breathing and everyday things almost impossible. The IPF made the lungs harden and not let oxygen into the bloodstream. The COPD was compounding his ability to breathe.
LIFE BEFORE IPF & COPD
Before IPF & COPD, Bruce was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman. He loved hunting, fishing and being the best grandpa possible. He was always there for anyone that needed help or needed something fixed. We call him our " Macgyver". He could do anything from sewing to refurbishing an entire boat and everything in between. But he is so much more to us. He is our forever friend.
THE LONG ROAD AHEAD
Now he spends his days hooked to oxygen 24/7, in and out of hospitals and traveling to Duke rehab 5 days a week with his wife. While at rehab, he does exercises to keep him strong for his transplant. They also attend classes when they go to learn what to do and what to expect before and after transplant. They have been doing this since September 19th and the plan is for him to continue this until he gets his transplant.
They called Bruce and Tina on September 28th and said they had a set of lungs for him. I was so excited! They packed up and drove to Duke only to find out the lungs were not a match. This absolutely broke my heart. I can only imagine how they felt.
LIFE AFTER TRANSPLANT
Once he gets his transplant he will spend at least 3 months in the hospital. Then when he gets out, they will have to live within 30 mins of the hospital. So, that means renting a place to stay and utility bills. They will stay here 3-6 months, depending on how he does.
THE COST
As everyone knows, this has been and will be very expensive. The trips back and forth to Duke everyday, Tina missing work, renting a place close to the hospital to stay, utilities, post medicines, medical supplies, medical bills, gas, food, rehab, and most expensive, the anti rejection medicines he will have to be on the rest of his life. Tina has checked on the cost of the medicines after transplant and one of his anti rejection meds will run around $800 a month after insurance has paid.
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
Bruce is not only a husband, a father, an awesome grandpa and dear friend...He is a special man that has spent his life helping others. I hope you can find it in your heart to help a man that has helped so many. No amount is too small. Any amount you are willing to give will be greatly appreciated. Most of all, keep him and his family in your prayers. We know our Lord Jesus has Bruce in his loving care. Jesus said..... "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them" Mathew 18:20
Please feel free to SHARE, SHARE, SHARE to your social media and tag your friends!
WORDS FROM BRUCE
"Without GOD and the prayers I have received so far, I don't know where I would be right now. It is a struggle for me to just go to rehab daily and do the things they ask of me. It is hard for me to ask for help. I have always been a one man band. But, I have come to realize I do need help. I want to see my grandbabies grow up and be able to share all of their special moments with them. I want to do all the grandpa things that grandpas are supposed to do. Like teaching them how to fish, hunt, ride a tube, swim and see just how much I can spoil them. I thank you so much for all the prayers, food and friendship so far. It has really meant a lot to me that so many care.”
My name is Sherry Leonard and I wanted to start this Go-Fund-Me page for a dear friend, "Bruce Tyler". He is currently on the waiting list for a Double Lung Transplant. My family and I met him and his wife, Tina, about 14 years ago at Kerr lake. We immediately became great friends and have enjoyed every minute of our friendship since.
FAMILY
Bruce and Tina have been married for 41 years. They have a daughter, Tracy, which has gave them 4 wonderful and energetic grandbabies. The oldest is Madison 5, then Harper 3 and 10 month old twins, Corbin and Leah. They are very much the apple of grandpa’s eye!
THE JOURNEY
Bruce was diagnosed with IPF (IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY FIBROSIS) in 2016 after his 2nd rotator cuff surgery. The doctors seem to think the IPF surfaced from the nerve block medication they gave him during surgery. It temporary paralyzed part of his lung. He had difficulty breathing after the surgery. So test were done to determine that he did have IPF.
THE 2ND ATTACKER
About a year into his journey with IPF, Bruce was diagnosed with COPD. At this point he had 2 things attacking his lungs and making breathing and everyday things almost impossible. The IPF made the lungs harden and not let oxygen into the bloodstream. The COPD was compounding his ability to breathe.
LIFE BEFORE IPF & COPD
Before IPF & COPD, Bruce was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman. He loved hunting, fishing and being the best grandpa possible. He was always there for anyone that needed help or needed something fixed. We call him our " Macgyver". He could do anything from sewing to refurbishing an entire boat and everything in between. But he is so much more to us. He is our forever friend.
THE LONG ROAD AHEAD
Now he spends his days hooked to oxygen 24/7, in and out of hospitals and traveling to Duke rehab 5 days a week with his wife. While at rehab, he does exercises to keep him strong for his transplant. They also attend classes when they go to learn what to do and what to expect before and after transplant. They have been doing this since September 19th and the plan is for him to continue this until he gets his transplant.
They called Bruce and Tina on September 28th and said they had a set of lungs for him. I was so excited! They packed up and drove to Duke only to find out the lungs were not a match. This absolutely broke my heart. I can only imagine how they felt.
LIFE AFTER TRANSPLANT
Once he gets his transplant he will spend at least 3 months in the hospital. Then when he gets out, they will have to live within 30 mins of the hospital. So, that means renting a place to stay and utility bills. They will stay here 3-6 months, depending on how he does.
THE COST
As everyone knows, this has been and will be very expensive. The trips back and forth to Duke everyday, Tina missing work, renting a place close to the hospital to stay, utilities, post medicines, medical supplies, medical bills, gas, food, rehab, and most expensive, the anti rejection medicines he will have to be on the rest of his life. Tina has checked on the cost of the medicines after transplant and one of his anti rejection meds will run around $800 a month after insurance has paid.
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
Bruce is not only a husband, a father, an awesome grandpa and dear friend...He is a special man that has spent his life helping others. I hope you can find it in your heart to help a man that has helped so many. No amount is too small. Any amount you are willing to give will be greatly appreciated. Most of all, keep him and his family in your prayers. We know our Lord Jesus has Bruce in his loving care. Jesus said..... "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them" Mathew 18:20
Please feel free to SHARE, SHARE, SHARE to your social media and tag your friends!
WORDS FROM BRUCE
"Without GOD and the prayers I have received so far, I don't know where I would be right now. It is a struggle for me to just go to rehab daily and do the things they ask of me. It is hard for me to ask for help. I have always been a one man band. But, I have come to realize I do need help. I want to see my grandbabies grow up and be able to share all of their special moments with them. I want to do all the grandpa things that grandpas are supposed to do. Like teaching them how to fish, hunt, ride a tube, swim and see just how much I can spoil them. I thank you so much for all the prayers, food and friendship so far. It has really meant a lot to me that so many care.”
Organizer and beneficiary
Sherry Leonard
Organizer
Castalia, NC
Tina Tyler
Beneficiary