My name is Susan (Suzi) Ballerin and I'm starting this GoFundMe page to help alleviate the many financial burdens accumulating due to the serious and chronic illnesses of my son, Chris Lansing.

In September of 2022, Chris was lifeflighted to Rockford, IL, St. Anthony's Hospital. He was diagnosed with kidney failure, congestive heart failure and 3 mini strokes, all being attributed to seriously high blood pressure. . He spent nearly a month in the hospital and was released with many prescription medicines. Chris was off work for about 6 months. He worked hard to heal himself and recuperate as best as he could, incorporating a vegetarian diet, juicing of fruits and vegetables, walking and stationery biking to help rebuild his health and strength. He finally was able to regain some strength and health enough to become more active, return to work and live life. His goal was walking, playing with and enjoying his daughter, Adelina.

Less than a year later, Chris became ill with arthritic type problems. His hands swelled up, he couldn't bend his fingers. Many of his joints became inflamed, tender and he had severe pain. He developed severe anemia, gastritis and Barretts esophagus. He was already seeing a nephrologist, cardiologist, neurologist. A rheumatologist was recommended who diagnosed him with severe autoimmune disease-rheumatoid arthritis or possible mixed connective tissue disease or possibly lupus. Since this diagnosis, he's also seeing an allergy/immunologist, hematologist, endocrinologist, a gastroenterologist and a few other specialists. He's had frequent Emergency Room visits. He was sent back to St. Anthony's in late October as he had a pericardial effusion, or fluid build up surrounding his heart, along with pleural effusion. He underwent a pericardial centesis to drain the fluid away from his heart. He came home the day before Halloween. Less than 2 weeks later, he was taken by ambulance back to St. Anthony's to undergo the same procedure. He has since been diagnosed with Hydralazine-induced Anca Vasculitis, a rare occurence attributed to the drug hydralazine (a blood pressure med), which Chris has been taking since 2022. Chris has been off work since December of 2023 with these health problems. At this point, he has been denied social security disability, but keeps fighting for it. I'm supporting him, taking him to many of his appointments, staying at hospital when I'm able. Chris has a loop recorder inserted in his chest to record his heart, which sends transmissions via his phone to a hub, which records the info for his cardiologist to read. He needs his cell phone for this, and for all of the hospital myChart messages, appointments, test results, etc.

Chris presently sees 2 cardiologists, 2 nephrologists, a hematologist, immunologist, rheumatologist, endocrinologist, gastrointologist.

His latest echocardiagram (2 days ago) shows another pericardial effusion and we won't know until next week if this will require pericardial centesis (draining of fluid collecting around his heart). It could involve a surgical procedure and down the road may be a major surgery to remove part of the pericardial lining around his heart. He is taking strong steroids and chemo treatments to avoid major surgery but we don't know if this is going to work. A kidney biopsy is most likely going to be in the near future. His present insurance is restrictive but we are hoping to get him into Mayo Clinic, Northwestern, or Cleveland Clinic. I have set up this Go Fund Me account to help with travel to the multitude of Dr. appointments, tests, etc and to help with other expenses, such as vehicle maintenance, insurances, paying his phone bill-which is a lifeline for him. He also requires special foods due to dietary restrictions because of kidney disease. The expenses involved have become more than I can take care of. We are so hoping the Social Security Disability decision comes in soon and in his favor. His main goal is to be able to return to work after being unable to work for over 2 years now. More than anything, he wants to be able to go for walks with his daughter, to physically be able to be more active in her life. Please consider helping Chris or sharing his story. Thank you.