I would never normally ask for something like this, but we found out today that the next step in my dad’s (Jeff’s) care has to happen immediately, and after nearly 60 days in the hospital, I simply cannot pull everything together fast enough on my own. I have not left my dad’s bedside this entire time and have been fighting nonstop with doctors, case management, administration, insurance, VA channels, hospital personnel, the Medicare system, and anyone else I could possibly reach trying to get him the level of care he needs. I have also been in contact with a congressman’s office, a state official, and have even been working on a letter to a senator trying to advocate for him and explore every possible option.
My dad’s medical team has made it very clear that he needs transfer to an LTAC (Long-Term Acute Care Hospital) where they can focus on respiratory recovery, trach weaning, therapy, and getting him strong enough for the next stages of rehab. Right now, he is still too medically fragile for intensive rehab, and a lower level of care could seriously impact the progress he has fought so hard to make. Today, we were finally able to find an attending physician willing to take on my dad’s case and focus specifically on helping move him toward recovery and eventual decannulation (trach removal). The problem is that this opportunity came with almost no time to prepare. In order to secure his placement, urgent funds are needed to cover the first 30 days of care. Like so many families facing a prolonged medical crisis, the financial burden has become overwhelming very quickly. After exhausting every possible option and trying to navigate every system available, we were able to get the original fee down by more than half. Even so, the financial burden is still overwhelming and the timeline has simply become more than I can manage alone.
Anyone who knows my dad knows he is proud, independent, stubborn, generous, and the kind of person who would help anyone else before asking for help himself. I am very much the same way, which is why asking for help like this is incredibly difficult for me. If you are able to donate, share this fundraiser, or keep my dad and our family in your prayers, it would mean more than words can say. Every single contribution helps give him the chance to continue receiving the level of care his doctors believe he urgently needs. Thank you all for the prayers, love, kindness, and support you’ve already shown us throughout this ordeal.
My dad’s medical team has made it very clear that he needs transfer to an LTAC (Long-Term Acute Care Hospital) where they can focus on respiratory recovery, trach weaning, therapy, and getting him strong enough for the next stages of rehab. Right now, he is still too medically fragile for intensive rehab, and a lower level of care could seriously impact the progress he has fought so hard to make. Today, we were finally able to find an attending physician willing to take on my dad’s case and focus specifically on helping move him toward recovery and eventual decannulation (trach removal). The problem is that this opportunity came with almost no time to prepare. In order to secure his placement, urgent funds are needed to cover the first 30 days of care. Like so many families facing a prolonged medical crisis, the financial burden has become overwhelming very quickly. After exhausting every possible option and trying to navigate every system available, we were able to get the original fee down by more than half. Even so, the financial burden is still overwhelming and the timeline has simply become more than I can manage alone.
Anyone who knows my dad knows he is proud, independent, stubborn, generous, and the kind of person who would help anyone else before asking for help himself. I am very much the same way, which is why asking for help like this is incredibly difficult for me. If you are able to donate, share this fundraiser, or keep my dad and our family in your prayers, it would mean more than words can say. Every single contribution helps give him the chance to continue receiving the level of care his doctors believe he urgently needs. Thank you all for the prayers, love, kindness, and support you’ve already shown us throughout this ordeal.
Organizer
