Help James Harper's medical expenses

Evan Wolf is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Marilee Harper.

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Myself, Evan Wolf; my brother Cameron Harper, sister Heather Harper, and sister in law Christine Harper are creating a fundraiser to help support our father who has endured multiple life threatening surgeries and is in need of help regarding medical expenses.

Early October of 2020, our father, James Harper was diagnosed with severe diverticulitis, which is a disease that affects the intestines and colon of the patient. He had to have his first surgery on Oct. 23rd of 2020 to remove about 8 inches of his intestines to get rid of his diverticulitis. On Oct. 27th 2020, he was rushed to the ER after suffering complications from the first surgery. Surgeons discovered a large tear in his colon which caused his kidneys to begin failing. The hospital informed us he would die quickly if he didn't have surgery to remove more of his intestines and add a colostomy.

Three days after his second surgery, he developed a tear in his intestines and became septic. A drain was put in to remove the infection. He was put on heavy medication and a complete I.V. diet for the next five weeks as he remained in the hospital. He was moved to a rehab facility the week of Thanksgiving 2020 where he improved and came home December 10th 2020, where he remained on medication and his drain. He started out at 180 pounds, and is now currently at 117 pounds.

Our mom during all this time has been his medical advocate, his primary caregiver, and has learned how to perform wound care, ostomy care, and most recently I.V. med infusions.

In-between all of this, he almost died two more times due to sepsis that had infected his bloodstream. When he came home on December 10th from the rehab facility he still had a long way to recover. In mid January 2021, his drain stopped working and he became very ill. He had to have surgery for the third time on February 3rd 2021. The third surgery was to repair the remaining tears in his intestines. More complications arose and an infection in his abdomen, as well as being infected with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (Also known as MRSA). He remained in the hospital for a week and a half.

He returned home February 13th 2021 with I.V. Pic lines for my mother to perform I.V. infusions twice a day for his treatment. He is unable to be left alone for long periods of time due to the severity of his condition. He still has another surgery to go to reverse the colostomy, but that won't be for another six months to possibly next year.

With all this said, the mounting medical expenses on our family; and the fact that his paid family medical leave ended in January 2021, it has put a huge strain on our parent's financial situation. He has not been approved for long term disability as of yet.

We know everyone is having a very difficult time due to current events in the country, we only ask if you are able to contribute to please consider us. We ask for only what you are able to give, whether it be funds, well wishes, or a nice card to brighten our father's day on his very long journey to recovery. All funds will go to covering James' medical expenses.

We thank you very much for your attention, and any support you are able to give us.

Sincerely,

Evan D. Wolf