Help Kelly Gorman (Buchanan) Get a transplant

Everything changed on January 5, 2020. I found myself in the emergency room with a lot of activity around me, I was in respiratory failure and had a Non STEMI heart attack. I kept saying, “No, it’s not that bad. I couldn't have had a heart attack. No, not me. I was only 54 and I stayed active, working in the barn and taking care of my horses. How the hell is this happening?!”

It happened, and it was that bad. Although the specific bacteria or virus was never identified, my lungs were severely damaged. Since that day, I have required continuous supplemental oxygen, 24/7. Despite my best efforts and doing everything I’m supposed to, my respiratory status continues to deteriorate. Medical management is failing.

I need a double lung transplant to survive. It's a transplant or hospice. But wait. I'm not done! I’m not a quitter! You can knock me down over and over, but I will always get back up. I’m tenacious and I’m not done! I have overcome a lot. I have been blessed with 31 years of sobriety. I survived a brutal marriage and rose above the emotional poison to get my RN, and graduated cum laude just to spite him. I have grandbabies I want to play with and to read them stories without getting out of breath. I want to go back to the humane society and play with the pigs and walk the dogs. Hell, I want to walk my own dogs. I still have a lot to do.

I need to fundraise as I have only medicare and I’m ineligible to get any additional coverage. There will be a considerable amount that is not covered and many ridiculously high copays. I will have many procedures and there will be medications I have to take for the rest of my life. Some money will be used for travel expenses and meals. Some of the money will also be used for dental care to eliminate possible infection. I've had no dental coverage for a number of years and this must be addressed. There will be frequent follow up visits and equipment I need to purchase after transplant. All these have large copays.

It's hard to write this and ask for help. I’m a retired nurse and it is my nature to care for others. I will not be able to have this surgery without help. So please consider helping, if you are able. It is literally to save my life. Thank you.