Help Michael Breathe Easy Again: Lung Transplant Fund

On July 13, 2020, Michael underwent surgery to have a double lung transplant. After about 3 weeks, he was released from the hospital, and we have not looked back. There have been many adventures and journeys along the way. We moved across the country and entered parenthood when our little girl was born on Aug 17, 2024. It has been a blessing to see her blossom into her personality.

Unfortunately, in January, Michael ended up catching RSV. He had a bronchoscopy at the beginning of March, and it showed that he had acute rejection. He was hospitalized for 5 days to receive the anti-rejection medication. When Michael left the hospital, he was feeling pretty good despite his immune system being severely compromised.

About a week after he completed the anti-rejection therapy, he was hospitalized due to having a Staph infection that progressed into pneumonia. His heart rate was high, and he was requiring oxygen that he had not needed before this. After being in the hospital for 12 days, he was released and on about 4L of oxygen when walking, and on room air when he was at rest.

After about a week, we were called back to the hospital due to an infection growing from the biopsies of the bronch. The doctors were able to put him on antibiotics pending the results of the antibiotic resistance test on the bacteria. The doctors released us after being in the hospital for 5 days. After being home for a few days, Michael's oxygen needs started to increase, he was short of breath, and his appetite became non-existent. We got in contact with his coordinator and were told to go to the emergency room.

On June 10, Michael went into the ER, and we found out he had blood clots in his lungs that were contributing to the shortness of breath that he was experiencing, along with the infection. We then found out that he was in chronic rejection.

The doctors have now decided that a second double lung transplant is necessary. He has now undergone the testing that is needed for the transplant. We are not sure when this will happen, as there are still goals that have to be met in order for this to take place.

One of the goals that must be reached is to move to the Duke area to attend pulmonary therapy, as well as for the transplant. The gifts received from this GoFundMe will ensure that we are able to take the steps necessary to have a double lung transplant.

Anything given will be deeply appreciated.

Thank you